Catholic vs. Notre Dame “Irish Bowl” Pre-Game Summary Presented by “The General”

CATHOLIC Irish (0-0)

at

NOTRE DAME Irish (0-0)

August 22, 2014

7:30 p.m.

SETTING THE SCENE – Catholic opens its regular season…tonight’s game is the Irish Bowl…Catholic won last year’s game, 22-13…Catholic reached the semifinal round of the TSSAA Class 4A playoffs last season…Irish have won 101 of their last 134 games…Lacey is Catholic’s returning leader in rushing…Jancek passed for more than 2,000 yards in 2013…Silvey is Catholic’s leading returning tackler…

THE RECORDS – Catholic was 10-4 in 2013, including a 3-1 mark in District 4AA. The Irish reached the semifinal round of the Class 4A state playoffs in 2013. Notre Dame was 9-4 overall last year. The Irish reached the third round of the Class 3A playoffs.

ON THE SIDELINE – Steve Matthews is in his second year at the helm of the Irish. He also serves as Catholic’s offensive coordinator. Matthews came to Catholic from Seigel High School in Murfreesboro, where he served as offensive coordinator from 2010-2012, He was head coach at Moore County in 2008 and 2009 and posted a 10-10 record. He also served as QB/WR coach at Tullahoma, his high school alma mater, from 2004-2007. His overall record is 20-14, and his record at Catholic is 10-4. Matthews played collegiately at Tennessee and Memphis.

ON THE STAFF – Serving as assistant coaches for the Irish are: Les Greer (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers), Justin Anderson (Offensive Line), Sam Brown (Running Backs), Drew Franklin (Wide Receivers), Marcus McDonald (Defensive Line), J.J. Surlas (Outside Linebackers), Jason Surlas (Defensive Backs), and David Ball (Strength & Conditioning).

RACK ‘EM UP – Catholic has won 85 of its last 110 regular-season games.

DISTRICT FOES – Catholic participates in Class 4A. The Irish are in District 4AA, which includes (playoff bracket in parentheses): Alcoa (3A), CAK (3A), Kingston (3A), and Scott (4A).

THE LAST GO ‘ROUND – Catholic’s 2014 roster includes 18 seniors. Included are Jordan Anderson (RB/DB), Zac Jancek (QB/DB), Logan Lacey (RB/LB), Sammy Nelson (WR/DB)m Tim Quayle (RB/DB), Donovan Ricche (WR/DB), Dom Souder (WR/DB), Brandon LoCascio (WR/DB), Alex Jones (K), Connor Ostrowski (FB/LB), Jay Smolens (RB/LB), Corey Ostrowski (OL/DL), Blake Mayo (TE/LB), Chris Jackson (OL/DL), Christian Atwater (OL/DL), Brandon Morgan (OL/DL), Carter Edmunds (OL/DL), and Luis Soto (OL/DL).

TEAM STATS – Catholic averaged 308.6 yards per-game in total offense last year, including 149.4 yards on the ground and 159.2 yards through the air. Defensively, Catholic allowed 285.1 yards per-game, including 202.1 yards on the ground and 83 yards through the air. Catholic averaged 29 points per-game. Opponents averaged 22.2 points per-game.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS – Here’s a look at Catholic’s returning statistical leaders in various categories –

Rushing: Logan Lacey (133 att., 635 yds., 8 TD)

Passing: Zac Jancek (146-249-10, 2,077 yds., 17 TD)

Receiving: Chase Kuerschen (42 rec., 562 yds., 2 TD)

Interceptions: Dom Souder (3)

Scoring: Logan Lacey (72 points/12 TD)

Tackles: Josh Silvey (120)

DISTRICT 4AA STANDINGS – Here’s a look at the 2014 District 4AA standings:

DISTRICT    OVERALL

Catholic          0-0                   0-0

Alcoa               0-0                   0-0

CAK               0-0                   0-0

Kingston         0-0                   0-0

Scott                0-0                   0-0

Thursday’s game

Smith County @ Alcoa

Friday’s games

Catholic @ Notre Dame

FRA @ CAK

McCreary County (Ky.) @ Scott

Open – Kingston

Saturday’s game

Alcoa @ Morristown East

LAST YEAR VS. NOTRE DAME – Catholic opened its 2013 season with a 22-13 home win over Notre Dame. Will Martinez posted Catholic’s first touchdown of the year with his 33-yard interception return late in the first quarter. A 26-yard pass from Zac Jancek to Logan Lacey upped the lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter. Following a Notre Dame score, the Irish moved to a 22-7 halftime lead as Jancek connected with Jordan Anderson on a 24-yard scoring strike. A Notre Dame touchdown late in the third quarter provided the final margin. The Irish had 323 yards in total offense on the evening. Jancek was 16-of-23 passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Anderson was his top target, grabbing seven balls for 94 yards. Lacey led the Irish rushing attack with 59 yards on 12 carries. The Irish defense allowed Notre Dame just 107 total yards.

ON THE RADIO – Tonight’s game is being broadcast on WNML, The Sports Animal (99.1 FM). John Wilkerson handles play-by-play, while former Catholic quarterback Rob Demastus adds commentary.

UP NEXT – Catholic plays host to Coalfield next Frday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., at Blaine Stadium/Hollin Field.