Mater Dei surges to win over Quincy Notre Dame

BREESE – Mater Dei quarterback Colin Schuetz passed for more than 400 yards and five touchdowns and the Knights defense forced four turnovers as Mater Dei rolled over (Quincy) Notre Dame 47-28 Friday.

“I thought our kids played physical, I mean that’s a playoff team with only one loss to probably the second best team in the state,” said Knights coach Jim Steibel, referring to the Raiders’ week one loss to Rockford Lutheran. “The way our kids executed was outstanding.

“We get a little more confidence who knows what we can do.”

The game was tied 21-21 at halftime, but the Knights used three consecutive scores to put some distance on the Raiders.

Mater Dei used an 86-yard touchdown pass from Schuetz to Brendan Timmermann just three plays into the second half to jump ahead 27-21.

Two plays into Notre Dame’s next drive, Jacob Dumstorff jumped in front of a screen pass and returned it 30 yards for another score to make it 34-21 Mater Dei.

Schuetz would then hook up with Timmermann again for a 15-yard TD pass as the Knights led 40-21 midway through the third quarter.

Mater Dei would not look back, rolling to the homecoming win over the No. 11 rated team in Class 4A to improve to 4-2 on the season.

“The defense was outstanding,” Stiebel said. “They are very crafty on offense and they are well coached. We focused this week on being aggressive and putting our helmet on the ball.

“Hats off to the defense.”

Schuetz was 19-31 passing for 416 yards and five touchdowns. Timmermann caught nine passes for 178 yards and three scores.

“He’s got poise,” Stiebel said of his junior signal caller. “Once he settles down and tries not to do too much … he does a nice job of running the offense.

“It’s fun calling plays when a kid like that can execute.”

Mater Dei travels to Johnston City next week.

This story was originally published October 2, 2015 at 11:44 PM with the headline "Mater Dei surges to win over Quincy Notre Dame."