Falcons looking to complete unbeaten second-half run at Carroll

The second half of the regular season has included an impressive run by Fenwick High School’s football team.

The Falcons hope to finish it off in style Friday night, even if it turns out to be the end of their road in 2016.

“We want to finish strong and let the other stuff we can’t control hopefully take care of itself,” said Fenwick coach Joe Snively, whose squad will take a four-game winning streak to Carroll to complete Greater Catholic League Coed North Division play.

“Our goal is to finish 6-4 and send our seniors out on a good note, and if we get something else out of it, it’s even better. That would be a great surprise for us.”

The Falcons, 5-4 overall and 5-1 in the North Division, still have an outside shot at the Division IV, Region 16 playoffs. They can also get a share of the North championship with a win and a Chaminade Julienne upset of unbeaten Alter.

Carroll would love to avoid a losing season on Senior Night. The Patriots are 4-5, 3-3, and have won their last three games.

“There’s a big difference between 4-6 and 5-5,” Carroll coach Ben Rulli said. “We had a lot of young guys playing early on in the season and a lot of upperclassmen who had never played in games before. But we definitely matured as a team as the season progressed. We’re playing some good football heading into Week 10.”

The Patriots use two quarterbacks — senior Nick Riley (61 of 136, 504 yards, three TDs) and freshman Trent Fox (30 of 53, 448 yards, two TDs) — and are led on the ground by sophomore Frederick Butts (84 carries, 403 yards, eight TDs).

Carroll has rushed for 528 yards in the last two weeks.

“That just shows the maturation of our offensive line and some of our backs and their understanding of our offense,” Rulli said. “I would also throw in special teams as one of our strengths. It’s really been a great third phase of the game. Not losing yardage on punt returns, having great coverage on punts, kickoffs going into the end zone and making the tackle behind the 20-yard line when they don’t … things that kind of get overlooked in the grand scheme of things are changing the dynamic of the game and field position.”

Snively said the Patriots have developed some swagger on the field.

“I think they’re a sleeper,” Snively said. “We saw them earlier in the year at a rosary rally, and I remember sitting in that church when they came rolling in. I was impressed with how big and strong and athletic-looking they were. I said, ‘I think Carroll’s on the move.’ ”

Fenwick likes to run the ball, but Snively opened up the offense when senior Sam Simendinger established himself at quarterback at midseason.

“You watch them on film and you’re like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa … they’ve lost a few games?’ ” Rulli said. “I think they’re a play or two away from being a playoff team.”

Senior Alan Nix began the season at QB for the Falcons. He suffered a broken fibula in Week 3 and came back in Week 8, becoming a starting halfback and a rotating defensive back.

There’s plenty of irony. Nix moved from the secondary and replaced injured quarterback Jimmy Gephart in Week 5 last year, eventually leading Fenwick to the state semifinals. When Gephart returned to action, Nix stayed at quarterback.

“It does remind me of Jimmy,” Nix said. “Sam’s doing a great job in there, and we’ve changed the offense a lot around him because he’s a lot better thrower. I kind of assumed I’d go play somewhere else when I got back. I knew I’d be out there though.”

He got hurt against Lebanon and didn’t immediately realize how serious his injury was.

“I actually thought it was a calf strain, so I was trying to run it off,” Nix said. “The next day, I go to the doctor and get an X-ray, and I’ve got a broken leg. They said I’d be out about four weeks, so I’m like, ‘All right, I’m going to try to make it back for the last three games,’ and luckily I got to do that.”

Nix has rushed 18 times for 133 yards and a touchdown in the last two games. He gained 114 yards against Roger Bacon last weekend, but also fumbled at the 1-yard line.

“That’s what I’m working on this week is holding onto the ball,” Nix said. “Getting back on the field was a dream come true. I fell right back into it, even at a different position. Actually blocking someone for the first time in my life was fun.”

He doesn’t play the what-if game when contemplating his senior year.

“You’ve got to deal with injuries,” Nix said. “How you deal with it is how big of a man you are. I didn’t expect to be in this situation. I’ve just got to roll with what I’ve got.”

He’s eager to get another shot at the playoffs, but understands that it may not be in the cards. The Falcons’ 0-3 record in nonconference play has dampened their postseason hopes.

Snively said the 42-41 pvertime loss to Anderson was the hardest to swallow. Fenwick failed on a two-point conversion attempt in OT.

“As a coach, you go back and question all those things, and I’m sure fans do too,” Snively said. “But we have no regrets. The schedule is what it is. What I’m really proud of is, I know the people who played us would say we played them hard and physical. We just came up short.”

Friday’s game

What: Fenwick (5-4, 5-1 GCLC North) at Carroll (4-5, 3-3 GCLC North), 7 p.m.

Where: Patriots Stadium, 4524 Linden Ave., Riverside

Last meeting: Fenwick won 35-7 in 2015

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