Defending Champs Roll to 7th Straight Title Game
By Adam Chasen:
Olney, MD - Offensive fireworks went off when Good Counsel beat Gonzaga a few weeks ago, as the two teams combined for 88 points in a late regular season football matchup between the pair of top programs in the WCAC. Like their regular season game, an offensive explosion took place Friday night, but this time only Good Counsel took part beating Gonzaga 44-0, and earning a bid to the WCAC finals.
Good Counsel earned the right to host the first round playoff game as the #2 seed hosting Gonzaga the #3 seed. In their first matchup the two teams traded scores in what was a fairly tight game, but that was not the case Friday.
Good Counsel's trio of offensive stars dazzled all night, as running back Wes Brown ran for two touchdowns, receiver Stephon Diggs caught three touchdowns, and quarterback Zach Dancel threw all three scored to Diggs. Dancel also added two interceptions as he made a rare start at the safety position for Coach Bob Milloy and Good Counsel.
Brown looks like he has finally recovered to full health after suffering a severe ankle sprain in Good Counsel's nationally televised opening game way back in August. He tried to come back earlier in the year to no avail, but the last two weeks he has steadily improved. Against Gonzaga, his 236 yard rushing performance, including touchdown runs from 53 and 88 yards, proved once again with Brown in the lineup Good Counsel is at the top of their game.
Defensively, Good Counsel dominated to the surprise of many. Gonzaga led by two senior's, quarterback Kevin Hogan and running back D'Lante Martino, were able to move the ball and put up points all season long until Friday night. Good Counsel middle linebacker Vince Groce was a big reason why.
"Last time we played them, on defense we were a little bit sloppy, so we changed pretty much the whole scheme, something they haven't seen before," said Groce who has committed to play next year at UVA. "A little bit better game plan than last time and we came out and executed this time."
Not to be lost in the shuffle was the performance of Dancel. He sometimes can be lost in highlights because of the talent that surrounds him, but the senior quarterback was superb all night. He threw for 206 yards and connected on all three of his passing touchdown with his go-to playmaker Diggs. But it was Dancel's defensive performance that really stood out, as he made the two interceptions, the second of which was a one-handed play on his own goal line.
"He's such a good athlete; it's all athleticism for him back there. He's got the feet, the hands, the whole deal, he's a pure athlete," commented Vince Groce on his quarterback and part-time Free-Safety Zach Dancel.
"Gonzaga's a real good team, we had to show them that we were the better team," added Dancel. "It was an opportunity I had to take to play some defense. I just tried to do some good things for my team."
Head Coach Aaron Brady had quite a run in his first season as the head man at Gonzaga, leading the conference for nearly half the season, but his team will have to regroup and give it another shot in 2011.
"I think Good Counsel had a great game plan, they have great players, and they came out and played better than we did. You've got to make plays, it's a playoff game," commented Coach Brady. "Turnovers have been a problem for us the last few weeks, but I can't say enough about our seniors. It's a shame we had to go out like this on their last game, but most team's go out on a loss."
Good Counsel will move on to the WCAC finals to play Dematha for the 7th consecutive season in the championship game. Good Counsel won last year's contest for the first time. Dematha got by a late charging St. John's team 28-20. The WCAC Championship will be held at U.S. Naval Academy Stadium on Sunday November 21st at 2pm.
"We were talking in the locker room if St. John's won (beating Dematha) it wouldn't be the same for us," said Groce. "We want the championship either way, but Good Counsel versus Dematha that's just great high school football."
