Game Recap: Fenwick Defeats Morgan Park 35-12 in Season Opener

Friar nation was in full effect as head coach Matt Battaglia led his team to a 35-12 victory over Morgan Park. Fenwick’s 12th man showed up and showed out. Their crowd was electric and their energy carried over to the field. Fenwick’s Danny Kent and [player_tooltip player_id="20859" first="Kaden" last="Cobb"] each scored early rushing touchdowns to put the Friars up 14-0 over the Mustangs. The game’s first highlight-reel play came on a 50-yard Kobb-to-Reese connection which landed the Friars deep into Morgan Park’s territory. Danny Kent would run it in for his second score of the day on the ensuing play to put the Friars up 21-0 heading into the second quarter. Morgan Park’s offense stalled and found itself in bad field positioning throughout the first half. Fenwick would capitalize off their field positioning and add to their total on a 21-yard touchdown pass from Caden Kobb to Cameron Coppage midway through the second. Down 28-0, Morgan Park began to find some momentum on the ground with good runs from Jacobi Beard, Aaron Warren, and Jovan Clark. With halftime approaching and the Mustangs in dire need of a score, Aaron Warren tried to make a play but comes up short and turns it over on a fumble as time expired in the second quarter. The Mustangs finally got that spark they were looking for coming out of the half. [player_tooltip player_id="130591" first="Tysean" last="Griffin"], who’s arguably the #1 ‘24 in the state, cut on the jets and took a handoff 75 yards to the house on Morgan Parks opening drive of the half to cut the lead to 28-6. The next drive would be the turning point of the game. [player_tooltip player_id="20859" first="Kaden" last="Cobb"] would attempt to go deep to [player_tooltip player_id="20887" first="Eian" last="Pugh"] but Morgan Park’s Justin Boykin came up with the interception. Having just ripped off a one-play 75-yard touchdown run in their previous drive, it would appear for the first time all game that Morgan Park had finally grabbed some momentum. But a pass interference would wipe out the pick and derail the Mustangs’ momentum. Cobb would tally his third touchdown on a 47-yard rope to receiver Bryan Hunt to put the Friars up 35-6 in the third. Jacobi Beard would score the game’s final touchdown on a 17 yard run with three minutes left in the 4th to bring the final score to Fenwick 35, Morgan Park 12. The Mustangs lost the field positioning battle in the first half. Their offense couldn’t catch a rhythm, and as a result, wasn’t able to match the Friar’s scoring output. Credit the Friar defense for keeping constant pressure on the quarterback by dominating the trenches. Next week the Fenwick Friars (1-0) look to remain undefeated against the Niles Notre Dame (0-1). Morgan Park (0-1) looks to bounce back as they host St Viator (0-0) for a week two matchup at the historic Gately Stadium. <h3><em><strong>Noteworthy Performances</strong></em></h3> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Fenwick Friars</strong></span> <h6><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20859" first="Kaden" last="Cobb"] | QB | ’22</strong></em></h6> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-192912" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/IMG_6731-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> The Ball State commit threw for two touchdowns and ran for another while showing exceptional poise from the pocket. Kobb also did a great job of protecting the football as he finished the game with zero turnovers. <h6><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20887" first="Eian" last="Pugh"] | WR | ’22</strong></em></h6> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-192914" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/IMG_6729-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> His presence alone opens the field up for the rest of his teammates and causes headaches for opposing defensive coordinators. The senior wideout and Illini commit showcased his ability to create separation with his long and athletic frame. <h6><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="20890" first="Max" last="Reese"] | ATH | ’22</strong></em></h6> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-192915" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/IMG_6723-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Reese finished the game with 8 receptions for 126 yards and was an absolute load to bring down when the ball was in his hands. His size alone makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenders. Committed to Eastern Michigan. <h6><em><strong>Danny Kent | RB | ’22</strong></em></h6> <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-192916" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/08/IMG_6730-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> Kent was the emotional leader for this team and set the tone early with two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. <h6><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="151181" first="Suleiman" last="Abuaqel"] | DE | ’22</strong></em></h6> Abuaqel wreaked havoc on Morgan Park’s o-line with his ability to consistently pressure the quarterback. <h6><em><strong>Bryan Hunt | WR | ’22</strong></em></h6> Hunt was not on my radar before this game, but after watching him play, this kid definitely has all the tools to be a big-time playmaking receiver. A dangerous deep threat with the ability to pile up the YAC. Hunt is definitely a prospect college coaches should keep an eye on. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Morgan Park</span></strong> <h6><em><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="130591" first="Tysean" last="Griffin"] | ATH | ’24</strong></em></h6> It’s easy to see why some consider Griffin the #1 player in Illinois’ ’24 class. He took the opening handoff of the second half 75 yards to the house and did an exceptional job covering one of the best receivers in the state. <h6><em><strong>Jacobi Beard | RB | ’22</strong></em></h6> If you weren’t paying attention, then you might have missed how hard Jacobi beard was running the ball throughout this game. He was a bright spot on Morgan Park’s offense and will be a key player for the Mustangs moving forward. <h6><em><strong>Justin Boykin | CB | ’22</strong></em></h6> Outside of giving up a few big plays, Morgan park’s secondary didn’t play necessarily bad. Boykin held on his own against a balanced Fenwick passing attack. He’s a long and athletic 6’2" with good ball skills.