Bonner Routs in Thanksgiving Eve Game; Petransky Breaks Record

It was the final game of the year for the Monsignor Bonner football team. They took on Archbishop Carroll in their third annual Thanksgiving Day matchup. Bonner came into the game 5-6 after a big win over Springfield, and looked to finish at the .500 mark for the only the first time in a long time. But they would first have to go through the Patriots. Carroll hasn’t played since their semi-final loss to Bishop McDevitt in the Class AA playoffs.
The first quarter started well for the Friars. Senior RB Eric Petransky rushed for a 25 yard touchdown. Later, junior QB Sean Quarterman threw a beautiful 41 yard touchown pass to a wide open Jack Wichmann. But after, Bonner struggled. Using the Wildcat formation, Carroll was able to score off a 46 yard bootleg by Teron Dobbs. The point after was no good. After the first quarter, Bonner led 14-6. The second quarter led to more struggles by Bonner. Late in the second, Bonner mishandled a snap on a punt attempt, and Carroll recovered at the Bonner 11 yard line. The Bonner defense was able to hold them to only a field goal. Carroll gained the ball back with less than a minute left in the half, and they took advantage of their opportunity. Quarterback Chris Shuster threw a 49 yard pass to Greg DiSanto for the score with 17 seconds left. It looked to be beautifully defended by Bonner’s Sam Christie, but it was an unlucky bounce that led to a score. After the first half, the Patriots led 15-14.
The second half proved to be much different. Bonner dominated the half. It started off with 8:29 left in the third, when Quarterman threw another great pass to Wichmann, this time for a 44 yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion was no good. Five minutes later, the Friars scored again, this time off a Petransky two yard plunge. Once again, the two point conversion was no good. After the third, the score read 26-15. In the fourth, Petransky struck again, this time for a 47 yard touchdown run. Carroll was driving late in the quarter, but the Bonner defense forced a fumble, and recovered the loose pigskin with 4:32 left in the game. Senior Kyle Schuberth sealed it, scoring on a 10 yard touchdown run. Bonner shut the Patriots down, and defeated Carroll 40-15.
Coming into the game, Bonner running back Eric Petransky needed just 83 yards to break the school’s single season rushing record. He didn’t just eclipse that mark. He destroyed it. The senior ran for 241 yards on 21 carries, scoring three touchdowns, en route to breaking the record. The original mark was 1,386 yards. That is no longer, as Petransky finishes his career with 1,544 yards rushing. This is certainly an incredible feat. Sean Quarterman played extremely well last night. He finished 9 for 11 for 129 yards and two touchdowns, both to WR Jack Wichmann. The Bonner defense shut down the Carroll offense in the second half. They were led by senior Greg Wilent, Sam Christie, Kenny Weyler, and junior Brendan Garrison. Bonner finishes the year at 6-6, which is the first time in a long time for the Friar program. The 2009 squad took big strides this year, accomplishing much more than expected. This senior class certainly helped turn around what was a struggling program into a very respectable one this year. Although key seniors will graduate, the 2010 squad looks to build on this success and keep Bonner’s winning ways. With Quarterman returning, along with Jamie Juisti, John McGilligan, and Anthony Jackson, the Friars look poised to make a playoff run. It’s hard to believe, but the football season is over. But all good things must come to an end. Now it’s time for the Bonner basketball team to shine.