Football: Winamac holds on, edges Bishop Noll
By WILL CULBERTSON Post-Tribune correspondent October 26, 2012 11:32PM
Updated: November 28, 2012 6:12AM
WINAMAC — There was a definite playoff atmosphere at Roudebush Field on Friday night. And Winamac (8-3) squeaked out a 14-10 victory over Bishop Noll.
After trailing 7-3 for most of the game, Bishop Noll’s Frankie Noriega caught a tipped pass from quarterback Austin Solis (16-of-32 for 236 yards) in the end zone to take the lead with 5:43 remaining.
But Winamac responded when quarterback Zach Shidler found the end zone from 4 yards out to regain the lead. However, Winamac wouldn’t have been in the red zone if it weren’t for junior tailback Tyler Katschke.
Katschke was a workhorse, carrying the ball 26 times for 128 yards and a rushing touchdown.
“He’s pretty special,” Winamac head coach Tim Roth said. “He missed his sophomore season due to eligibility issues, but he’s worked hard and he knows what’s expected of him here at Winamac.”
On the final possession of the game, Bishop Noll (5-6) drove deep into Winamac territory. But the game ended when Winamac’s defense forced running back Vernard Whitfield to fumble the ball.
“We were switching up defensive fronts and we took a gamble, but we used our athletic ability and we came up with the football,” Roth said.
With 12 plays of more than 10 yards, Noll moved the ball on offense; it just wasn’t able to capitalize when it mattered most.
“Their effort was phenomenal, but it just wasn’t meant to be,” Noll coach Mike Juscik said.
As expected, the Noll sideline was emotional after the abrupt end to its season.
“They worked hard, they pushed each other, they care about one another and, for me, you want to win football games, but I want these guys to grow up to be good young men,” Juscik said.
