Chaminade Football Blows Away Gaels to Play for 2012 Title

Dan Fowler kept insisting that Chaminade would be fine, that there would be nothing to worry about. Maybe the senior fullback knew a little bit more than he was letting on as he hauled his gear into the Chaminade locker room after a loss to St. Anthony’s in week 4. He had looked across Ott Field as the Friars pumped fists and beat their chests on his home turf, being dealt their first loss of the 2012 season.

You could tell that he had wanted another crack at them, wishing that the game would have gone to overtime – at the least – and holding out that the teams would – at the most – meet again this season.

Not many get a second chance, something that Fowler and the rest of the Flyers now have in their grasp.

This is after all, something players and fans alike have wanted.

“It’s definetly something we thought about the whole year,” Chaminade quarterback Sean Cerrone said. “We were trying to take it game by game and so far it’s worked out. We just got one more week left.”

They have a chance to go for the 2012 CHSFL title after knocking out Iona Prep 41-16 Saturday in New Rochelle amidst on-and-off snow flurries; hardly the nailbiter that they had managed under the lights during week 3.

“We just kept getting better and better,” Cerrone said, nailing 10 of his 20 passes for 204 yards – a career day – including 4 touchdowns while running for 43.

The Flyer offense had opened the scoring with a 45-yard run from Rob Speranza, a lead they would never relinquish, but it was WR Tom Zenker’s three scores that would silence the blustery Westchester wind out of the Gaels.

“I just go out there and I try to do my job as best I can,” the 6’4” senior said. “My team always backs me up and makes sure I make the plays.”

Those plays included six catches including a diving grab for 151 total yards on the day.

“I was just able to come through and make an easy catch,” Zenker said. “It seems like I just snuck out there, they weren’t around me the entire time.”

Chaminade won its last CHSFL title in 1998 against Msgr. Farrell and the school’s last appearance in the title game was in 2002 against St. Anthony’s.

Coming into the game, the Gaels were ranked No. 2 in the league ahead of Chaminade, but the Flyer defense was able to stand them up despite 377 yards of total offense, including halting three straight plays at the 5-yard line and block a field goal attempt in the second quarter.

By fiat Chaminade did not have the chance of ending St. Anthony’s unbeaten streak – taken away by Bergen Catholic, NJ in week 1 – nor of snapping their league winning streak – ended by Iona Prep in week 2.

They will have to settle for a shot at ending their reign atop the CHSFL.

They did not seem to mind.

“I would love to go out there and beat up on some St. Anthony’s kids, honestly,” Zenker said. “It would be great.”

Next Saturday at 4 p.m. at Mitchel Athletic Complex, he and the rest of Chaminade will have that chance.