That was one of the more fun games I've seen in Niles in a while.
For the first three quarters, it really looked like the Warriors were going to get revenge for the Dons shutting them out @Willowbrook in last year's opener. Willowbrook took a 6-0 lead after a good read and jump by a defender for a pick-6 on an ND screen. Defenses were both playing really strong. The Dons offense was fairly lifeless. A few nice throws by Palicki finally broke the Warrior offense through and they took a 12-0 lead.
It was 12-0 Willowbrook going into the 4th. Then a double pass trick play by ND for a TD early in the 4th opened things up. It seemed like after that play (and a few other nice pass plays), the Don offensive line starting getting a great push off the line and the running game just picked up chunk play after chunk play for another Don TD with a few minutes left in the 4th to take a 15-12 lead. Willowbrook threatened with a nice drive but ultimately fell short.
Was really impressed with Willowbrook QB, Arthur Palicki. Has good size, vision and speed. He made some VERY nice throws. One was a perfect 30+ yard pass down the sideline that would have been a beautiful TD but went right through his WR's hands. He also had what I thought was a game-winning 30 yard TD pass that was an absolute dart, but I think a Don defender got his hand in there. Excited to see where he ends up.
Onward to the Shamrocks next week.
For the first three quarters, it really looked like the Warriors were going to get revenge for the Dons shutting them out @Willowbrook in last year's opener. Willowbrook took a 6-0 lead after a good read and jump by a defender for a pick-6 on an ND screen. Defenses were both playing really strong. The Dons offense was fairly lifeless. A few nice throws by Palicki finally broke the Warrior offense through and they took a 12-0 lead.
It was 12-0 Willowbrook going into the 4th. Then a double pass trick play by ND for a TD early in the 4th opened things up. It seemed like after that play (and a few other nice pass plays), the Don offensive line starting getting a great push off the line and the running game just picked up chunk play after chunk play for another Don TD with a few minutes left in the 4th to take a 15-12 lead. Willowbrook threatened with a nice drive but ultimately fell short.
Was really impressed with Willowbrook QB, Arthur Palicki. Has good size, vision and speed. He made some VERY nice throws. One was a perfect 30+ yard pass down the sideline that would have been a beautiful TD but went right through his WR's hands. He also had what I thought was a game-winning 30 yard TD pass that was an absolute dart, but I think a Don defender got his hand in there. Excited to see where he ends up.
Onward to the Shamrocks next week.
