BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 27, 2011
When a team plays its neighborhood rival, it always seems as if the stakes are higher. That was the case at St. Ignatius Tuesday afternoon, as the host Wolfpack defeated their rivals from Young, 25-19, 28-26. Continue reading
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 24, 2011
Not even some trickery by the home team on the game’s opening kickoff could derail No. 2 Glenbard West Saturday afternoon. The Hilltoppers used a combination of a power running game and an aerial attack to ruin Oak Park-River Forest’s homecoming, defeating the Huskies 41-6. Continue reading
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 24, 2011
In a game where one mistake can make or break the game, it was Marian Catholic that capitalized on a St. Patrick mistake as they came back for a 42-35 win Friday night at Hanson Stadium. Continue reading
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 20, 2011
Sometimes all it takes is good serving to win a volleyball match. Young got plenty of that and some in its 29-27, 25-11 win at Payton Tuesday night. Continue reading
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 17, 2011
It took four games, but Notre Dame finally got that elusive first victory of the 2011 season Friday night as the Dons held on to defeat visiting Leo 27-8 in Niles.
“It’s a really good feeling to get it,’’ said quarterback Nick Pieruccini. “We needed it and we just have to take it one game at a time to get to the goal of the playoffs.’’
Notre Dame (1-3) rushed out to a quick 7-0 lead in the first quarter, as sophomore running back Chris James scored on a 32-yard run. His run capped off a six-play, 86 yard drive, in which James rushed for 59 yards.
Down 14-0 before the half, a fumble on a failed double reverse gave Leo (2-2) its best starting field position it would have all night, at the Notre Dame 32. Unfortunately for the Lions, quarterback Jarod Cooper threw four incomplete passes and the threat was thwarted.
Leo was able the hold the ball for the majority of the third quarter, 10-and-a half total, but was unable to capitalize. Both drives ended at within the Notre Dame 25.
Through out the first three and a half quarters, the two teams combined for 14 points. Within the last six minutes of the game, the two combined for 21, as the Dons widened their lead to 20-0 on a 15-yard pass from Pieruccini to Joe Parrinello.
Leo answered on a 61-yard screen pass from Cooper to speedy running back Keith Harris Jr.
The Dons would answer back four plays later, when Nick Lato broke through for a 38-yard touchdown to cap the scoring.
“Our offense works much better when the run is setting up the pass,’’ said Pieruccini. “As you can see, it makes it flow a lot more easily and makes us look better.’’
Pieruccini would finish completing 8 of 14 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He also added a one-yard rushing touchdown. James finished with 118 yards on 13 carries.
Harris Jr. finished with 74 yards on 22 carries for the Lions.
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 10, 2011
Quarterback Dejan Basara knew that he could rely on his teammates to help the team rally from an 18-7 fourth quarter defecit. But it was Basara who did it all Friday night in the Grenadiers 24-18 overtime victory. Continue reading
BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW September 3, 2011
De La Salle used the legs of Mikale Wilbon for the second consecutive week as it overcame a halftime deficit to claim a 30-22 comeback win against visiting Gordon Tech Friday.
“Gordon is a good team and they scouted our stuff really well,’’ Wilbon said. “They watched our tape and executed their plays well, but we were able to overcome it and pull out the win.’’
The Meteors (2-0) got on the board first, as they took a 13-play drive and turned it into a 27-yard field goal by Jonathan Hope.
But the Rams got it back real fast, as Habeeb Durojaiye returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards to put the visitors ahead.
“They saw our coverage and saw we weren’t covering the edges,’’ De La Salle coach Dan O’Keefe said. “We gave them that and they were able to exploit it. We can’t do that.’’
After combining for 24 points in the entire first half, the two teams combined for 21 points in the first 1:58 of the second half.
After Gordon (1-1) fumbled the opening kickoff of the half, Wilbon, who finished the game with 30 carries, 247 yards and three touchdowns, scored the first of his touchdowns on a five-yard rush.
Durojaiye then returned his second kickoff down the right sideline for a touchdown, this one 84 yards.
Wilbon scored the second of his scores on the next possession, as he rushed for a 22-yard score, finishing a drive that saw him run for 40 yards.
Wilbon scored his last touchdown on a 90-yard run after the defense stuffed the Rams at the 10-yard line.
“I was really worried bout the game,’’ O’Keefe said. “This is a really good team and that quarterback (Julian Russell) is a great quarterback.’’
Russell finished with 91 yards rushing on 19 carries. He also scored on a 26-yard keeper.
Michael Wojtychiw 