June 30, 2008
Notre Dame, Ind. – Just as the 50 participants of the sixth annual Notre Dame Football Fantasy Camp flag football game thought they were heading to overtime, a miracle catch decided the contest.
Blue Team quarterback Bud Johnson (Los Alamitos, CA) lofted a pass toward the end zone and as two defenders attempted to bat the ball down at the goal line, receiver Chris Secreto (Kirkland, WA) tipped the ball up for Brian Pieroni (Chesapeake, VA) to grab victory in the back of the end zone with only nine seconds remaining.
The only score of the game, played in the famous Notre Dame Stadium, secured the Blue Team’s 6-0 victory at the end of a memorable week.
From Wednesday to Friday, the campers interacted with some of the legends of Notre Dame Football. They had a team meeting with Head Coach Charlie Weis and dressed in official team apparel for four practices, with instruction from current staff and former star players. They had daily use of the varsity locker room in Notre Dame Stadium, and ate, slept and breathed just as the Fighting Irish football stars do during their season.
The game’s first half was dominated by defense, after an opening play, 55-yard halfback pass from the Gold Team’s Mike Brennan (Ocala, FL) that went to the 11 yard line. The Blue team was able to thwart any further advances, and took over on downs.
The teams exchanged long drives and interceptions, as well as booming punts, but neither was able to score. Quarterback Serge Martinez (Crestwood, KY) of Blue had one of the highlight runs of the half as the 65-year-old doctor scrambled for a key first down.
The second half followed a similar pattern, but both coaching staffs decided to focus more on the ground as they tried to establish field position. Again though the determined play of men like John O’Neill (Toronto, ON) and Scott Litwiller (Tulsa, OK) kept the offenses out of the end zone.
“It was a great finish to a fantastic game and a wonderful week of football,” said organizer Patrick Steenberge. “One of the reasons many campers return year after year and why freshmen are so thrilled when they experience the camp is a moment like this. Everyone’s dream of being a Notre Dame football player was realized this week”
Scoring SummaryBlue 0 0 0 6 -- 6Gold 0 0 0 0 -- 0
4th QuarterBlue - Pieroni 36 pass from Johnson (PAT failed) :09.
Individual Gold Statistics
Rushing (Att.-Yds.): #12 Tim Sudduth 4-16, #15 Serge Martinez 1-7, #18 Mike Brennan 5-5, #11 Stu Fortener 5-4.
Passing (Att.-Comp.-Int.-Yds.-TD): #12 Tim Sudduth 2-1-0-6-0, #18 Mike Brennan 6-2-1-78-0, #21 John O’Neill 3-2-0-6-0, #15 Serge Martinez 6-0-1-0-0.
Receiving (Rec.-Yds.) #12 Tim Sudduth 2-78, #82 Brian Kopp 2-11, #7 Gene Faut, Jr. 1-1.
Tackles: #9 Chris Alley 5, #32 Jim Lucchessi 3, #11 Stu Fortener 3, #82 Brian Kopp 3, #7 Gene Faut, Jr. 3, #3 Bud Shearer 2, #47 Chris Cromer 2, #56 Dan Rodden 2, #8 Vance Fuller 2, #37 Larry Leamy 1, #12 Tim Sudduth 1, #15 Serge Martinez 1, #18 Mike Brennan 1.
Sacks: #12 Tim Suddarth
Interceptions: #18 Mike Brennan, #47 Chris Cromer
Punting: #82 Brian Kopp 4-28.2
Kickoff Returns: #9 Chris Alley 1-21
Individual Blue Statistics
Rushing: #34 Jeff Balitsos 10-47, #10 Brian Pieroni 6-16, #14 Steven Filbert 2-1, #9 Frank Bagatta, Jr. 1-(-2), #3 Bud Johnson 3-(-8).
Passing: #3 Bud Johnson 9-5-1-87-1, #34 Jeff Balitsos 2-1-0-13-0, #10 Brian Pieroni 5-1-0-8-0.
Receiving: #10 Brian Pieroni 4-57-1 TD, #34 Jeff Balitsos 1-31, #6 Chris Secreto 1-12, #9 Frank Bagatta, Jr. 1-8.
Tackles: #10 Brian Pieroni 3, #4 Tom Long 3, #77 Charlie Ruffalo 3, #9 Frank Bagatta, Jr. 2, #50 Scott Litwiller 2, #34 Jeff Balitsos 2, #6 Chris Secreto 2, #21 Kelley Ryan 1, #13 Mark Thees 1, #14 Steven Filbert 1, #58 Bruce Calligaro 1
Interceptions: #10 Brian Pieroni 1, #9 Frank Bagatta, Jr. 1
Sacks: #50 Scott Litwiller 1
Punting: #5 Joe Hession 5-28.6
Kick Off Returns: #6 Chris Secreto 1-17