Saturday, October 28, 2017

Catholic Memorial Opens Playoffs with Blowout of Newton North (with VIDEO)

Photo by Matt Siegel.   Continue to the bottom for some video highlights by Matt.

By Matt Feld (@mattyfeld612)

NEWTON - For Catholic Memorial, quarterback Nick Goffredo’s best performance to date could not have come at a better time.

Goffredo totaled four touchdowns, three via the run, to lead Catholic Memorial to a 35-0 road win over No. 4 Newton North in the first round of the Division 1 South playoffs at Newton North High School.

The Knights earn a birth in the Division 1 South Sectional Semifinals where they will take on Catholic Conference foe No. 1 BC High at Viola Stadium on Friday night.

All afternoon long, Goffredo was nearly perfect carving up the Tigers’ defense.

Goffredo’s day finished on the opening play of the fourth quarter as he fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Matt Kittewell to give Catholic Memorial a 35-0 advantage.

Over three plus quarters the Knight’s senior captain went 12-for-15 for 146 yards and a touchdown through the air. On the ground, meanwhile, Goffredo was as much of a threat totaling 91 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Newton North’s lone score came with just under 10 minutes to go as quarterback Will Thompson ran it in from six yards out.

Despite being a senior this season was Goffredo’s first being the Knights’ starter under center.

“Nick (Goffredo) has a unique ability both to make plays with his arm and legs,” Catholic Memorial coach Brent Williams said. “I’ve been really impressed with the way he has progressed this year he has just gotten better and better.”

Newton North was stymied by the Knights’ defense all day. Catholic Memorial forced three turnovers all in the second half.

Defensive back Jarrett Martin reeled in an interception, fighting off a Tiger receiver, and recovered a fumble.

Through the first three quarters the Tigers’ mustered only 40 yards passing.

“We had to do some things that were different since (Will) Thompson is such a dangerous runner,” Williams said. “He’s so dangerous when he scrambles and throws the ball, so all week long we had to make sure he did not get out of the pocket.”

Leading 14-0 to begin the third quarter Goffredo ended any hope of a Newton North comeback.

On third and eight, the Knights’ quarterback completed a tipped pass to Martin for a 17 yard completion inside the Tigers’ 25 yard line. Three plays later, after a Kion Tucker 10 yard run, Goffredo ran in for a one yard score.

“We were really pumped up for this game,” Goffredo said. “Offensive line did a great job blocking, wide receivers were getting open, and when I ran we had success. We just had a great offensive and defensive game.”

The Knights struck first on their opening drive. On third and 9 at the Newton North 42, Goffredo escaped the pocket and scampered 41 yards down the right sideline to set up a one-yard quarterback keeper to put Catholic Memorial up 7-0.

Newton North followed up by working down inside the Knights’ 40-yard line before turning it over on downs at the 37.

Back on offense, Goffredo engineered a six-play 51 yard drive capped off by an Ore Ojo 15 yard touchdown run to increase the Knights’ lead to 14 at the intermission.

“I wanted three years to do this,” Goffredo said on his first career playoff win. “All the work paying off and it’s just a great team win.”




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