Friday’s game
Who: Roger Bacon (3-3, 1-2 GCLC Central) at Fenwick (4-2, 1-2 GCLC North), 7:30 p.m.
Where: Krusling Field, 4855 Ohio 122, Middletown
Last meeting: Fenwick won 56-26 in 2012
Three weeks of spectating was long enough for Brandon Moore.
The Fenwick High School senior fullback returned from a Week 2 broken foot last Friday and helped the Falcons blank Purcell Marian 28-0 at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak for Fenwick. Moore ran 11 times for 59 yards, but game action was far more important to him than his statistics.
“It was amazing. It was so great,” Moore said. “Just playing football. I can’t explain it.”
The Falcons have been staggered by numerous injuries in recent weeks, but their health has improved dramatically heading into the stretch drive of the season.
Fenwick (4-2) will host Roger Bacon (3-3) in a Greater Catholic League Coed Division crossover game tonight, and it’s homecoming at Krusling Field. GCLC North foes Chaminade Julienne, Alter and Carroll loom the next three weeks.
“I wouldn’t say that every player is 100 percent, but we don’t have anybody on the sidelines because of an injury,” Falcons coach Joe Snively said. “I feel really good. Our health is getting back, and we’re back on a winning track. But there’s no rest in this league.”
Fenwick is averaging 267.7 yards per game on the ground. The Falcons’ Wing-T offense thrives when the fullback position is manned by a bruising guy like Moore, and he’s glad to provide such a presence.
“I hit people every play, so I’ve just got to be willing to give the hits and not take them every down,” said Moore, who’s gained 164 yards on 35 carries this year.
“Brandon’s the guy you kind of start the offense with,” Snively said. “You’ve got to have a fullback that isn’t afraid to run between the tackles and lower his shoulders and get those hard yards. He’s a no-nonsense kind of guy, so he fits that mold perfectly.”
Moore suffered a broken foot during the Mount Healthy game, but played the whole way in a 13-12 victory. By Saturday morning, he knew he had a serious problem.
“I was going out to block somebody and just landed on it wrong,” Moore recalled. “I had tape on my foot too, and I think it kind of redirected the pressure at a bad spot.”
He said his quick recovery was aided by a bone stimulator, and he certainly had motivation to get back on the field after watching Fenwick lose to Badin and McNicholas.
“If I’m not 100 percent, I’m pretty close,” Moore said. “I’m still using ibuprofen just in case, but I feel good.”
Frank Catrine has played the last two weeks after hurting his shoulder in Week 3, though Snively said his snaps are still being limited a bit because of the injury.
Fenwick isn’t throwing very much — quarterback Nick Fedders is 14 of 25 for 136 yards. Catrine (54 carries, 405 yards), Thomas Sheridan (78 carries, 378 yards), Fedders (62 carries, 327 yards) and Jake Percy (43 carries, 213 yards) have all seen considerable action in the backfield.
“Our passing game is our passing game,” Snively said. “It’s not the world’s greatest, but Nick runs the ball really well, and the offense responds to him really well. So right now he’s the guy.”
The FHS coach praised the efforts of his defensive front against Purcell. He said a numerous guys are rotating through the line, mentioning Mike Percy, Joey Stomps, Tommy Trimbach, Greg Schwerman, Joey Mattia, Doug Frankart, Sean Sherman and Ben Stegbauer.
Moore, who shares captain duties with Mike Percy, Stomps, Catrine and Frankart, said the Falcons have brushed their two losses aside. They’re still Division IV playoff contenders.
“Any loss is tough to swallow, but adversity is part of the game,” Moore said. “We still have a great shot at making the playoffs if we win out, and I know we can if we just stick to it.”
Roger Bacon has been a bit of a surprise after going 0-10 last season. The Spartans have defeated North College Hill, Western Hills and Carroll. They also gave Alter a scare in a 9-0 setback.
“Since most of these kids played last year, we kind of knew what we had,” Bacon coach Kevin Huxel said. “We were hoping we would be moving in this direction. These kids are very hard-working, they keep getting better for us, and they’re fun to coach. This past week (against Carroll), we did a lot of things right.”
The Spartans have a consistent passing attack with senior quarterback Ruggiero DeLuca (6-3, 200), and classmate Eli Nixon (5-10, 175) is the top runner in the spread offense.
“We’ve got a really good-sized offensive line and some good speed,” Huxel said. “It’s a nice combination. Defensively, we’ve been playing very physical and flying to the ball.”
Huxel lauded the linebacking trio of George Nichols (5-10, 215), Noah Most (5-10, 200) and Andrew Hawkins (6-1, 160), and the veteran coach said tackle Sam Brown (6-3, 300) can be a force, but lacks consistency.
End Max Bishop (5-10, 215) missed the first three weeks with a knee injury. His return has been a plus.
“Our defense is capable of really shutting teams down,” Huxel said. “Fenwick will be a big challenge. Obviously, if we can do something to make them throw the ball, that’s what we want.”
Free safety/running back Frank Catrine, fullback Brandon Moore, outside linebacker Billy Hinton and tight end Brett Schneider were all sidelined with injuries last Saturday when the Falcons lost to Badin 13-7. - See more at: http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/sports/high-school-football/fenwicks-first-home-game-features-rocket-invasion/nZ799/#sthash.28NpOE4J.dpu
Free safety/running back Frank Catrine, fullback Brandon Moore, outside linebacker Billy Hinton and tight e
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