 High School Football:
Shawnee Marches To Road Victory
Saturday, September 16, 2000
By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer
The meeting between the Shawnee Renegades visiting the Fighting Irish of Camden Catholic was the first game of the season for both teams. The opening day ceremonies was highlighted with the Fighting Irish being led onto the field by an Irish Bagpipe marching band. That excitement would be carried onto the field as the Irish jumped out to the early lead. Shawnee would stick to their game plan. The Renegades' ground game pounded out the victory as they scored twenty-seven unanswered points to capture the victory.
 The atmosphere and weather couldn't have been better for a football game. With mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the seventies, the players as well as the fans were ready for football. "They (Camden Catholic) have a nice idea with the barbeque food to help out the football program", mentioned Shane McKenzie wearing his Renegades shirt. "It should be a good football game, but (Tom) O'Connor will have a successful game", said McKenzie when asked about the game. O'Connor, Shawnee's senior fullback, along with Adam Francks and Keith Smith had their numbers called often throughout this game.
Camden Catholic's defense was tested first as Shawnee won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. After picking up a first down on O'Connor's run, the Irish defense did their job by stopping the Renegades opening drive. The Irish were starting the season with sophomore starting quarterback Nick Cangelosi calling the snaps. Starting from their own 25-yard line, Camden Catholic began moving the ball down field. Cangelosi completed a third and long to midfield for the first down to keep the drive alive. Faced with another third and long, Cangelosi threw a pass behind the line of scrimmage to Terrell Smith who then threw a pass to a wide open Dwan Honey for a 50-yard touchdown.
 Two series later, the Irish were forced to punt the ball that pinned Shawnee at their own five yard line with 3:35 remaining in the first quarter. Their drive would be carried into the second quarter and seemed to be stalled when the Renegades were forced to punt. Anthony Morgan lined up for Shawnee to punt the ball but ran for a first down and kept the drive alive. Finally, with 4:48 remaining in the half, Keith Smith scored on a second and goal for the 7-yard line to bring the score to 7-6. The Renegades two point conversion attempt failed. Smith would score again with 4 seconds remaining in the half when he crossed the goal line on a 1-yard run. This two point conversion was good and Shawnee led at the half by seven.
Shawnee's defense kept the Irish off of the scoreboard for the remainder of the game. Sophomore quarterback Bill Kurtz engineered a scoring drive own their first possession of the second half. Francks gained 27-yards on run that got the Renegades offense to the 3-yard line. Two plays later, Kurtz scored on a quarterback keeper and Shawnee was ahead 21-7 in the third quarter. O'Connor would score in the final quarter to cap the 27-7 opening day victory over Camden Catholic.
Photos by Art Redd
           
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