Nov. 01--Benet didn't want to end another season with a disappointing first-round playoff loss.
The Redwings lost their postseason opener the past two years. So they made that their focal point, and it paid off with a 21-14 win over St. Charles North on Saturday afternoon at Benedictine University in Lisle.
"Coach (Pat New) always emphasizes no more one-and-dones," said Alec McEachern, who rushed for 192 yards with two touchdowns on 37 carries. "That's what we talked about all off-season and this season."
Benet (8-2) needed a sack from Trenton Kramer on the last play with the North Stars on the Redwings' 25.
Benet's defense thwarted St. Charles North with four interceptions, three by Danny O'Malley, two sacks and several big stops. O'Malley had two picks in the fourth, hauling in one at Benet's 2.
"It shows we're a really confident team and ready to move on through the postseason," O'Malley said.
Benet started quickly, scoring on a 13-yard pass from Jack Sznajder to Charlie Weidenbach, and took a 14-0 lead on a 52-yard run by McEachern with 7 minutes, 10 seconds left in the first quarter. St. Charles North (7-3) pulled to within 14-7 late in the first on a 3-yard run by quarterback Zach Mettetal.
Both teams had trouble moving the ball in the rain. Benet made it 21-7 when McEachern ran in from the 1 with 9:31 left in the fourth. The North Stars scored on a 6-yard run by Eric Lins with 4:05 to play, and earned great field position when Benet failed to get a first down at its own 36, but gained just 11 yards before Kramer's sack.
Bob Hurst is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Alec McEachern, Benet, 37 carries, 192 yards, 2 TDs.
Key performers: Benet -- Danny O'Malley, 3 INTs. St. Charles North -- Eric Lins, 13 carries, 57 yards, TD.
