Irish silence Thunder
Jacob Succar ran wild Friday.
The 15-year-old, Grade 11 student scampered for three touchdowns as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish blanked the Blessed Trinity Thunder 35-0 in a Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior football game at Notre Dame.
It was the second straight victory for the Irish while the Thunder dropped to 1-1.
Succar scored his first major late in the second half when he bowled through the line with just eight seconds remaining to give the Irish a 14-0 lead at the half.
Succar then really went to work in the third, scoring his second touchdown on a 70-yard scamper from the first play of scrimmage, before adding his third on a 90-yard run.
It was an impressive showing.
“For me, I kind of let things happen and fall into place,” he said. “I let it flow because I know it’s all going to fall into place. As a team, we practice and grind for everything we get.”
Succar was quick to give praise to his offensive line, which opened up some huge holes.
“Honestly, I can’t do it without my line. When they play bad, I play bad. It’s all on them.”
Succar had no explanation for how the big plays unfolded.
“It kind of just happens. I zone out in my mind and just black out.”
Succar’s effort couldn’t have come at a better time for the Irish, who will be without starting quarterback Connor Cropper for an extended period with a knee injury.
“Even with Connor in, we really wanted to establish a running game. One kid wasn’t here today so we really had to work on Succar,” Notre Dame coach Tim Bisci said.
Bisci was blown away with Succar’s speed.
“The third quarter, it was all him. He ran the ball three times and picked up about 170 yards,” Bisci marvelled. “Even last week at the end of the game we were just trying to run the clock out and he bounced one in. He’s just so fast when he gets open.
“We just have to have a little more depth at running back because when he bounces one for a big gain, we have to come back with somebody else because we don’t want to get him hurt.”
Succar didn’t play the fourth quarter after he cramped up following another big run which led to Notre Dame’s final touchdown.
Overall, Bisci was thrilled with the effort.
“I’m ecstatic about it,” he said. “I couldn’t be more happy. Our offensive line, we out-manned them. I’m happy with the outcome.
“We weren’t overly prepared for this week. We didn’t have any film on them so we were guessing defensively but we stepped up.”
Bisci said with so many young players, he expects even better things down the road.
“The kids got in. It was great and they were excited about it and we just have to keep getting better,” he said. “We’re a work in progress but we have some young kids that played well.”
Stats Pack
Irish 35 Thunder 0
Mick and Angelo’s/Johnny Rocco’s Player of the Game: Notre Dame’s Jacob Succar with three rushing touchdowns.
For the Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Succar 3 TDs; Bryce Livingston TD; Anthony Ciriello TD; Adam Fyfe interception; Cole Smith 5 converts.
For the Blessed Trinity Thunder: No scoring.
Through the air: Notre Dame’s Hunter Cropper 3-9 and a touchdown pass; Blessed Trinity’s Dante Joyner 1-11 with an interception.
SUPPORT US
On the right side of our web site, you will notice a yellow SUPPORT US button.
We are asking anyone who finds value in our work and is able to financially help us to click on the button and contribute whatever amount you feel is appropriate and can afford. There is no set amount. Any amount is appreciated.
The funds collected will be used to enhance and offset the expenses of running the web site.
