One stat jumped out after Brother Rice rolled past visiting St. Laurence 48-6 on Oct. 17: the Crusaders held the Vikings to 15 rushing yards.
“Our defense played really well,” Brother Rice coach Casey Quedenfeld said. “We were able to get back (defensive linemen) King Liggins and Kameron McGee. They didn’t play last week (in a win over Notre Dame), but they were able to play this week.
“… For the most part, specifically against the run, we did a great job of being disciplined and swarming to the football.”
Leading the way defensively for Brother Rice (7-1) was lineman Brayden Parks, who finished with nine tackles.
“He was just born to be great,” Quedenfeld said. “He’s just unbelievable. …
“A lot of teams’ strategy every week is to get outside or move the pocket. We’re adjusting to that just like teams are adjusting to us. And we knew they try to have a sprint out to the left and throw the football, but we put (Parks) in certain situations where he’s able to get more vertical. …
“Brayden’s just on a different type of level and he’s a different type of athlete. He’s able to make plays, but he’s also surrounded by really good football players.”
Jaylin Green led the way offensively for Brother Rice with 12 carries for 135 yards and four touchdowns. Jameson Davis added eight carries for 73 yards and a score. Army commit CJ Gray was 13-of-21 passing for 116 yards and a touchdown, with Lucas Strang the leading receiver with five catches for 66 yards and a score.
Joining Parks in anchoring Brother Rice’s defense were Michael Fitzgerald and McGee, who contributed five tackles apiece.
“Sometimes, when you can’t roll out, that’s because No. 5 (McGee) is on edge and No. 3 (Fitzgerald) is on the other edge,” Quedenfeld said. “And No. 99 (Liggins) is on the other side and they have to go somewhere.
“And it just so happens that No. 98 (Parks) is really good.”
St. Laurence (5-3) scored its touchdown on an 80-yard pass from Cory Les to Matt Williams (two receptions, 82 yards). The Vikings’ defense was led by Dave Campbell (11 tackles), Sean Rice (nine tackles) and Mikhael Riley (four tackles, interception).
“They are extremely good up front and with the three Power Five defensive linemen that they have, we really didn’t have an answer for it,” St. Laurence coach Pat Swanson said. “We had one big play in the passing game that got us our touchdown. Up front, it was just a rough day for us.
“Our quarterbacks were scrambling for their lives a little bit and we ended up having a quarterback get knocked out of the game. It was just a rough, rough slate up front for us.”