Southtown Star from Tinley Park, Illinois • 36

IKE STAR Sundzy, November 12, 2000 C-2 Bag of tricks fails Sandburg it, they still led 15-7 at halftime. In the second half, the Eagles again came out firing. On their second play from scrimmage, Kozak connected with John Charleston on an 86-yard touchdown pass for a 21-7 lead. Howevdr, from that point on, the aggressive play calling failed. On Sandburgs next possession, Kozak was intercepted on a third-and-22.

That was the turning point," Navarro said. We should have just run the ball on that play. But thats the dilemma. Do you run and try and keep the lead or do you pass? If you pass and its incomplete, the clock stops. We had a hard time getting first downs in the second half.

We couldnt run down the clock." On Sandburgs next two possessions, the Eagles tried to run but were stopped. So they went back to passing the ball. Early in the fourth quarter, Kozak was intercepted again. At that point, the offense was no longer clicking and momentum had shifted. Despite the second half mistakes, the aggressive play calling got the Eagles the lead they needed.

Sandburg went for the win on Saturday, but they came out on the short end of a 24-21 final. It just wasnt meant to be. Navarro said. The Star By the time the playoffs roll around, every team knows what the other is going to do. But in Sandburg's Class 6A quarterfinal game against Maine South, the Eagles' offense showed some new looks and featured some different players.

In addition, Coach Mike Navarro went with aggressive play calling that worked for three quarters but ultimately backfired when the game mattered the most. We had a good offensive game plan going in," Navarro said. Sandburg, a team not known for its high-scoring offense, certainly did. They scored 16 points in the first half against a highly-regarded Maine South defense. They tried a halfback pass and featured Wale Dada and Geoff Orr, two players who usually play defense exclusively.

The aggressiveness worked. Quarterback Rick Kozak passed for 95 yards, ran for one touchdown and passed for another in the first half. Dada had three catches for 33 yards, including a touchdown, and Orr had two catches for 59 yards. After Sandburgs first touchdown, the Eagles went for the 2-point conversion, something they have rarely done all year. After the second TD, on the ensuing kickoff, Sandburg went for the jugular and had an onside kick.

Although they didnt recover Josh Hendrick can be reached at (7 0B) B02-BB3B. Star photo by Judy Rdkowski Providences Michael Mentz (above left) is surrounded by Richards' defenders during Saturdays 30-7 Celtics win. Richards Dan Spano (below) is brought down by Providences Luke Lokanc. Eagles Continued from page C-l Celtics Continued from page C-l On third-and-goal from the 7, Kozak hit Dada for a touchdown and Matt Baldwin kicked the conversion to make it 15-7 with 3:51 left in the first half. The Eagles raised the lead to 21-7 following the second halfs opening kickoff.

Sandburg started on its own 12 and Wassong picked up 3 yards to the 15. On the next play, Kozak and John Charleston connected on an 85-yard pass play. The kick failed, leaving Sandburg with a 21-7 lead with 8:12 to play in the third quarter. on a third-and-5 play and an 8-yard pass from Kozak to Wale Dada on a fourth-and-5 play helped keep the drive alive. After forcing Maine South to punt, Sandburg took over on its own 40.

A 45-yard touchdown pass from Kozak to Steve Navarro was called back by a holding penalty, but Kozak hit Geoff Orr with a 56-yard pass on the next play to put the ball on the Maine South 9. Pat Disabato can be reached at (708) 802-8837. Disabato Continued from page C-l Lokanc finished with seven catches for 118 yards and three TDs, while Doyle totaled 119 yards and one TD on six grabs. It was an aerial fireworks display from a team known for running the ball. The deep post pattern was working real well, Doyle said after all four of Quigleys TD passes came on that specific pattern.

We set it up with our corner routes. They took away the corner routes, so we would give a head fake and cut to the post. When were one-on-one, we want to take advantage of it. In order to throw the deep post route however, Quigley needed time in the pocket to let the pattern develop. The offensive line provided that time and picked up nearly every blitz Richards threw at them.

With their 6-1 defense and two guys coming up, they stopped the run and held us to less than 100 yards (71) on the ground, Senffner said. We thought we would counter with play action. The offensive line pass blocked well. For Richards, (Matt) Lisek is a load and Ricky Rodriguez comes hard. The offensive line picked them up and blocked pretty good.

Picking up the blitz was probably the biggest key for Providences success Saturday and Hundley has added 50 pounds of muscle to his then 5-11, 155-pound frame. When Kunkel begins to mature physically, the sky is the limit. Hes not mature yet, Scianna said. He doesnt even shave yet. I dont think the young man has hair under his arms.

Wait until he begins to develop. I shave occasionally, just so I can say that I do, Kunkel admitted. The Michigan coaches said I have a young body and they expect me to get a little bigger." In this case, bigger can only mean better. compared Kunkel to Los Angeles Dodgers free-agent-in-waiting Todd Hundley, also a switch-hitting catcher. I was a teammate of Hundleys in the New York Mets organization.

Hundley was more advanced defensively at the same age, relying on a cannon of an arm. But the comparisons are undeniable. And physically, the 5-foot-ll, 175-pound Kunkel still doesnt shave regularly. Hundley, too, was a baby-faced teenager in no need of purchasing any Gillette products until he reached his early 20s. safeties.

We had a lot of sacks this year. But they played the Providence type of game. They had no turnovers and took care of the ball. Earlier in the week, Senffner said he had to fire up the offensive line so the offense could sustain drives and score more than 14 points. The offensive line responded and enjoyed some hot wings to celebrate a trip to the semifinals.

Brian Frangella can be reached at (70H) 802-8836. Richards head coach Gary Korho-nen knew it. Matt Senffner coaches the offensive line and that probably makes him a better coach than me because I just work with three linebackers, Korhonen said. And their offensive line was picking up our linebackers and Pat Disabato is a sports columnist for The Star He can be reached at (7 08) 802-8837 or by e-mail at hintiteinteraccess.com. St Xavier women hoop it up SOFTBALL Oak Forests Heather Kunkel signs letter of intent with Missouri ts Du 1 ifalnlia tty josh nonancKs The Star By Dennis Bowling Tiif.

Star Cain hit the game-winner on an out-of-bounds play after SXU was awarded possession on a jump ball. We call that screen the screener, Hallberg said. We had several options on the play. Nina (Solava) did a good job of taking the ball out of bounds and getting it to the right person. The bucket gave Cain 16 points on the night, a team-high.

Freshman guard Maureen Nelson (Andrew) added 15, Solava (Maria) 13 and freshman forward Sarah Zalewski (Maria) 10. play for Whiteford (Sharks). I played with the older players. I was able to learn their work ethic and how to play the game. Kunkel has played for the Whiteford Sharks for the past five summers.

The Sharks coaches who worked with Kunkel were Ed Ser-dar (one year) and Jack Podlesny (four years). She is probably one of the smartest players in the area, Oak Forest coach Kelly Herlihy said. She has great composure. She knows the game better than anyone out there right now. She is able to make most plays look easy.

I was impressed with her work, ethic and she is a very serious player. Im just hoping that she can lead us back to the regionals. We need to fill some positions and were counting on Heather to help bring our young players along. Last season, Oak Forest lost to Lyons Township in the Class AA Andrew Sectional semifinal. This past fall, Kunkel, a setter, helped the Bengals varsity volleyball team advance to the Class AA Mother McAuley Sectional semifinals, before falling to the host Mighty Macs.

The Saint Xavier womens basketball team got its season off to a thrilling start when freshman Mary Cain sank a game-winning shot with five seconds left to lift the Cougars past Robert Morris College 70-69 on Chicagos South Side Wednesday. The game at the packed Convocation and Athletic Center was the first for the newly-established womens program. The fans had to love it, Coach Bob Hallberg said. class of 320, In 34 games, Kunkel batted .394 with 24 RBI, 10 doubles, seven triples and 20 stolen bases in 21 attempts. On Thursday, Kunkel signed a national letter of intent to play softball at the University of Missouri.

The Tigers have made eight NCAA Tournament appearances most recently in 1999. They were Big 12 champions in 1997. I have really worked hard at the game, Kunkel said. Im very competitive and I want to be good at what I do. Im always looking to improve.

It has helped me a great deal to Since the age of 7, Oak Forests Heather Kunkel has always wanted to be a softball player. Kunkel did not miss a beat in her freshman season when she made the Oak Forest varsity soft-ball team and played second base. She played shortstop during her sophomore year and has remained a steady and productive fixture Currently, Kunkel is recognized as one of the top shortstops in the area and the state. She is also a National Honor Society Member and is currently ranked 38th in a Star New eason New Face, But Still the SpOllS Beat Best Prep Sports Coverage! Check local listings for day time. Star Newspapers 'Fbxtmek With The Star's Pat Disabato and Brian Frangella LISA THOMAS Srlo i I 9 A.