Irish roll past Mustangs
Notre Dame’s Jacob Succar (11) scored three touchdowns for the Irish Friday. Photos by: WILLIAM VANDERLAND
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish once again played their trump card Friday.
The Irish have relied on Jacob Succar all season to be their go-to player on offence and once again the Grade 11 student came through.
Succar scampered for three rushing touchdowns to lead the Irish past the Saint Michael Mustangs 30-6 in a Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior boys football playoff semifinal at Kiwanis Field.
Irish head coach Tim Bisci is well aware how important Succar is to the offence.
“Today we had guys hurt and guys tossed and he just keeps going,” Bisci said. “Sometimes you get a little nervous with it but you just hope he keeps going with it and you never know. Every time he touches the ball, it’s an adventure and he could end up in the house.”
Succar scored Notre Dame’s first major on a 35-yard run on their first possession following a Saint Michael fumble on the opening kick off.
He added touchdown runs of 15 yards and 70 yards before the first half was over as the Irish took a 27-6 lead into halftime.
“We had some guys who were open and we missed some passes and dropped some balls,” Bisci said. “If we don’t do that, you don’t have to rely on him so much. We’re trying to get it so he’s not the only focal point, but it’s nice to know he is there.”
Succar is happy to come through when it means the most.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “It’s something we work for and we know coming into the playoffs game we’re going to be set and ready to go.”
Succar was quick to give credit to his offensive line.
“We’re all part of a family,” he said. “We’ve been through so much together.
“We always have each other’s backs.”
It was a tough, chippy, sloppy game that saw both teams called for numerous infractions.
Bisci was not happy how his players reacted.
“You have to be selfless,” he said. “You can’t take a selfish penalty and have to do stuff that’s right for the team. Today we didn’t do that and it might hurt us. We have guys who won’t be able to play and guys who are injured. Hopefully we’ll be a little bit more disciplined. We’ll talk to the guys.”
Succar agreed.
“It’s hard, but as a football player you have to stay in the game and keep your head in the game,” he said. “You have to stay on track.”
The Irish led 13-6 after one quarter, before Succar’s two majors.
The Mustangs scored their lone major on a 55-yard pass from Zach Keldson to Riley Hart.
“It’s the first adversity we’ve felt since Sept. 21,” Bisci said. “We’ve been playing half games, getting guys out. Last week, most of our guys played one quarter and then you have to pull them out, trying to be fair play.
“It gets to the point where they felt a little bit of adversity, which is good, but they didn’t react very well from it so they can learn from it.”
Irish 30 Mustangs 6
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Star of the Game: Notre Dame’s Jacob Succar with three touchdowns.
For the Fighting Irish: Succar, three TD’s; Tyler Polce, TD fumble recovery in end zone; Cole Smith 30-yard field goal, three extra points.
For the Mustangs: Riley Hart, TD reception.
Through the air: Notre Dame quarterback Hunter Cropper 6-for-17; Saint Michael quarterback Zach Keldson 6-for-10.
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