CHICAGO – When you get to the state playoffs, big time players make big time plays in big time moments.
Enter Crystal Lake Central’s Jason Penza.
The sophomore got things going right out of the gate for the Tigers in their Class 6A first-round playoff game with Amundsen, bringing back the opening kickoff 95 yards en route to helping his squad take down the host and fifth-seeded Vikings 55-28 Saturday afternoon at Winnemac Stadium in Chicago.
Crystal Lake Central’s Brent Blitek (26) gets tackled by an Amundsen defender Saturday, Oct. 30, at Winnemac Stadium in Chicago. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw
From there, it was all Tigers (7-3) as they scored on each of their seven possessions of the first half.
“It set the tone and the rest of the game,” Crystal Lake Central quarterback Colton Madura said. “We really wanted to capitalize on every opportunity we had.
Glenbrook South Nie Swanson rolls out of the pocket in a game against Barrington. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw
By Michael Wojtychiw
BARRINGTON, IL – Glenbrook South came into Friday’s MSL/CSL crossover looking to do something they hadn’t since the 2014 season: start the year 4-0.
Standing in its way, however, was Barrington, a program the Titans hadn’t beaten since the opening round of the 2010 state playoffs.
The Titans took every punch the Broncos threw at them, but held off the home team by intercepting the Barrington quarterback on the last two possessions of the game to secure a 15-14 win Friday evening, Sept. 17, in Barrington.
“I thought our kids played really hard,” Glenbrook South coach Dave Schoenwetter said. “In the second half, they got their second wind.
ELMHURST, Ill.- When down 23-7 in the fourth quarter and having been shut out in both the second and third quarters, it’d be easy for some people to have doubt in their team.
Not Hinsdale Central coach Brian Griffin.
“Never any doubt, especially with these guys,” he said.
His squad rewarded him for his faith, rallying for 20 points in the fourth quarter to take down previously unbeaten York 27-23 in Elmhurst.
Hinsdale Central’s Thomas Skokna runs with the ball against York Friday, Oct. 8, in Elmhurst.
The win pulls the Red Devils into the conference lead, as they now carry a 6-1 overall and 4-o West Suburban Silver record. The win drops York to 6-1, 4-1.
“That is one hell of a football team that we beat. They had shut everybody out, and their defense is incredible,” Griffin said. “We kept telling our kids to keep believing in each other, next guy up. We had kids coming in and out of the game, it’s not just one kid.
“That’s how a conference championship type of game should be.”
The Dukes’ calling card this season has been their stout defense, one that hadn’t given up more than 10 points in a game and had outscored their opponents 201-34 through six games.
Hinsdale Central quarterback Billy Cernugel outraces a York defender. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw
It was evident why as after Hinsdale Central’s Nicholas Fahy scored on the game’s first possession, the Dukes held the visitors scoreless for the game’s next 35 minutes.
“Our defense has played great all year and I think they woke up after that,” York coach Mike Fitzgerald said. “I was proud, our guys bounced back. They (Hinsdale Central) kind of took the momentum early but then our guys surged back and we controlled the tempo of the game until the fourth quarter when we slowly let it slip away.”
LOCKPORT, Ill. – The 2021 fall season hasn’t been one that’s been familiar to many followers of the Lincoln-Way East football program.
For the first time since the 2016 season, the Griffins had suffered two losses in the regular season and had a tough matchup going into their week eight game against Lockport, which was undefeated on the season and had already clinched at least a share of the Southwest Suburban Blue Conference title for the first time since 2004, which also happened to be the last time the Porters defeated the Griffins as well.
Lincoln-Way East’s Trey Johnson (4) breaks the tackle of two Lockport defenders Friday, Oct. 15, in Lockport. Photos by Michael Wojtychiw
Lincoln-Way East on the other hand was looking to win or share its fifth consecutive conference title and seventh in the past eight years.
New Trier graduate Matt Kaskey, a Dartmouth College offensive lineman, had his NFL dream come true April 29, 2019.
Kaskey, a Wilmette native, signed a free agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams, giving him a chance to attend minicamp and hopefully earn a spot on the Rams’ 53-man roster. Continue reading →
The last name Mangan is one that is well known to the Loyola Academy community. With four brothers having walked through the Wilmette school’s halls, all having played multiple sports, it’d be fair to say they’ve left a mark on the school.
The fourth — and final — Mangan, Matthew, will leave Loyola as a two-sport athlete, having played both football and basketball his last two years at the school. His play on the football field helped him gain some collegiate looks, especially as his senior season went on.
On Thursday, Jan. 30, Mangan made his official decision on where he’ll be playing football for the next four years of his life: the University of Dayton. Continue reading →
Loyola’s Nate Van Zelst kicks the extra point. Loyola defeated New Trier 34-3 on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019.
Kick-It, an Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) program, is a national volunteer-driven effort focused solely on raising money for childhood cancer research. For many athletes around the country, it’s a chance to help be part of a good cause, one that could help others of all ages.
Loyola Academy football junior kicker Nate Van Zelst decided to be one of those helped. He became a member of the The Kick-It Champion for Kids Program — a part of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation — a National Organization registered 501(c)3 charity whose mission is to “change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to cure childhood cancer.” Continue reading →
For the first half Friday against De La Salle, it looked as if Montini was nursing a slight hangover from last week’s shutout loss to St. Rita. The No. 20 Broncos committed three turnovers and let up 21 points heading into the break of their Catholic League Green debut. Continue reading →
Six years ago, Douglass played its first varsity game against Uplift at Hanson Stadium, and uniforms and equipment were hard to come by for the new program. Continue reading →
Michael Wojtychiw 