Sports Spotlight by John Montgomery
St. Patrick’s varsity football program has never won a state championship or a Prep Bowl. The Shamrocks qualified for the state playoff eight times under former coach Dan Galante. They have advanced to the quarterfinals only twice in school history.
Maybe that could change with the tandem of coach Tom Zbikowski and quarterback Gavin Gardiner.
Gardiner, a junior, was impressive on Saturday night at Triton College, completing 8 of 10 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns to set a school single-game completion record in a 49-14 running-clock victory over Elgin Larkin.
“He’s going to be the best player in the state,” said Zbikowski after recording his first triumph as head coach.
“I believe in (Zbikowski) because he is a great leader,” Gardiner said. “He has taught me so many things. This is our first victory together. I am really excited for the future.”
Offensive coordinator and former St. Patrick quarterback Tom Barrett, who set school records by passing for 512 yards and six touchdowns in an epic 48-45 loss to Joliet Catholic in 2005, also echoed Zbikowski’s praise of Gardiner. “He is going to be a special quarterback,” Barrett said.
Zbikowski/Gardiner could be an unforgettable combination. The Bears certainly believe the football marriage between coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams will lead go success. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady won six Super Bowls. Sean Payton and Drew Brees won 161 games and a Super Bowl. And Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have won 161 games and three Super Bowls and are still counting.
To say that St. Patrick was frustrated after losing its season opener at Yorkville 14-7 would be an understatement. Its offense failed to launch and score points. The Shamrocks amassed 310 yards while Gardiner passed for 210 in his varsity debut,but he was intercepted on the final play of the game.
Against Elgin Larkin, there were no problems with offensive execution. The Shamrocks scored seven touchdowns and didn’t have to punt the football.
“We were on point tonight,” Barrett said afterward.
Gardiner threw for two touchdowns and completed passes to five different receivers. The passing game set up the running attack, which accounted for five touchdowns. Jayden Miranda scored twice as St. Patrick ran for 150 yards on 17 attempts.
St. Patrick built a 28-0 lead in the first quarter. The Shamrocks opened with an impressive 75-yard drive as Gardiner completed three passes for 40 yards and Tim Schayer scored on a 17-yard run. Later, Gardiner threw a pass for a touchdown and Miranda scored on runs of 15 and 16 yards. Gardiner was 7-of-9 for 123 yards in the first half while the offensive line prevented him from being sacked and the defense intercepted three passes. Offensively, the Shamrocks finished with 312 yards.
Barrett continued to praise Gardiner’s performance. “He plays above his age. He works hard on his own. He makes my job calling plays easy,” Barrett said.
To prepare for the 2025 season, Gardiner spent his summer working on the passing game at Brooks Park.
“Our receivers are great,” he said. “They make it easy for me. They played awesome tonight.”
St. Patrick led 35-6 at halftime, then started the third quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Gardiner to Schayer. Afterward, Zbikowski pulled his starters. The second unit, led by sophomore Kierre Wilson, drove 59 yards to account for the Shamrocks’ last touchdown, a six-yard run by Sean Bay, setting the stage for a running clock in the fourth quarter.
“Those kids work hard in practice and deserve to play,” Zbikowski said of his decision to give the reserves a considerable amount of playing time.
The schedule will get tougher as St. Patrick will face Chicago Catholic League rivals Leo, DePaul Prep, Brother Rice and Benet during the next four weeks.
