Providence outlasts Minooka
By Steve Millar For Sun-Times Media September 1, 2012 12:02AM
Providence Celtics fullback David Kaminski (37) scores a touchdown against the Minooka Indians Providence High School in New Lenox, Illinois, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. | Michael DiNovo~For the Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 3, 2012 6:19AM
When Providence began its second drive of the second half at its own 4-yard line, Minooka had all the momentum.
Then Dominic Lagone took over.
The junior quarterback used his arm and legs to lead the Celtics on a 96-yard touchdown drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock and took the wind out of the Indians. Providence went on to a 28-10 win in New Lenox.
“Our offensive line did a great job on that drive and we got some great runs from Chad (Weaver),” Lagone said. “We just had to keep it up and finish the drive.”
Lagone (9-of-11 passing, 106 yards, 2 TDs; 13 carries, 69 yards, TD) ran for 35 yards on the 15-play drive, including back-to-back jaunts of 11 and 12 yards after the Celtics (2-0) were faced with second-and-17.
“We’re just trying to be as versatile as we can,” Lagone said. “I’m a former running back, and when there were holes, they told me to run.”
Minooka (0-2), which totaled just 100 yards of offense, never recovered from the Celtics’ march and had the ball for just nine plays in the second half.
“When you don’t have the ball all that time, it hurts,” Minooka coach Paul Forsythe said. “Usually when a team has the ball for that long, they make a mistake. They didn’t.”
Providence, playing without running back Brandon Price and receiver Miles Boykin (ankle injuries), jumped ahead 14-0 on a 1-yard TD run by Weaver (23 carries, 99 yards) and a 15-yard TD pass from Lagone to David Kaminski.
Minooka responded with a 24-yard TD run by Nathan Gunn (5 carries, 38 yards) coming one play after Dionte Reed’s fumble recovery.
Jacob Stytz’s 38-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the half cut the lead to 14-10, but the Indians never again threatened.
“We’re excited,” Lagone said, “but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t win the next one.”
Cody Kirby had three catches for 59 yards for Providence.
