Category Archives: Published Work

Wilbon sparks Meteors

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Wilbon sparks De La Salle rally

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                     September 3, 2011

 For Sun-Times Media

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.

De La Salle wins opener

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De La Salle handles Lane with ease
BY  MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                                                August 26, 2011

It took longer than De La Salle would have expected, but the Meteors finally picked up school victory No. 400. And they did it in grand fashion. Sophomore running back Mikale Wilbon rushed for 260 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half, as the host defeated Lane 35-7 in their season debut.

“We’ve been working real hard here and our linemen played great here,’’ said Wilbon, who was making his first start on the varsity level. “I knew we were going to have a good start and our season was successful so that wasn’t that big of a surprise.’’

Wilbon started the season with a bang as he took a handoff on the first snap of the year and raced 75 yards to the end zone, untouched for at least the last 40.

The sophomore wasn’t done however. On De La Salle’s next drive, he carried the ball six times and was rewarded with a three-yard touchdown run.

The Meteors were more than just ‘The Wilbon Show,’ however. The Meteor defense stifled Lane and allowed just four first downs in the first half.

After the defense shut the Indians down again, Wilbon took two handoffs, one of which he took for an 83-yard touchdown.

“What’s great about De La Salle is that the coaches show no favoritism and if you’re good enough, you’re going to play. I knew all I could do is my best and it would end up ok,’’ said Wilbon.

Wilbon scored his fourth and final touchdown with 6:30 left in the second quarter, as he raced 60 yards down the right sideline.

“We knew he had talent,’’ De La Salle coach Dan O’Keefe said. “You can just see it in his eyes. He’s the player that wants to keep going after the whistle. That’s what separates him from the others.’’

Backup quarterback Casey Brandtonies accounted for the last De La Salle touchdown, rolling out and taking the ball in from 15 yards out.

Elijah Ewacawon had 86 yards on 22 carries and the lone Lane score on a 3-yard burst late in the fourth quarter.

Jones wins thriller

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Chico bounces back for Jones

 BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                               June 4, 2011

Since the IHSA went to the four-class state tournament in the 2007-2008 school year, Jones has made themselves a fixture in the Class 3A bracket. The Eagles have won the sectional title in 2008 and 2009 and was looking to make it three of four when they hosted Kenwood Saturday afternoon. After some late extra-inning heroics the hosts earned a 5-4, eight-inning victory to earn a sectional title.

“Coming into the sectional I knew it meant a lot to us,’’ John Chico said. “We were disappointed last year and didn’t want that to happen again. We knew we had a team and came out here and played with confidence.’’

Despite, misplaying a ball in the top of the eighth inning to help give Kenwood the lead, Chico blasted a two-run homer to center in the bottom of the inning, sealing the game.

“I just had to come out there with confidence,’’ Chico said. “I knew the pitcher was good, but as soon as he gave me a pitch down the middle I just turned on it.’’

The Broncos (10-17) got on the board in the top of the first, scoring twice on Chico, who started the game on the mound for Jones. Both runs were scored on a throwing error by the catcher.

Jones (20-11) got one of the runs back on a two-out single by Martin Lara, but Lara was stranded on third to end the inning. The Eagles were able to take the lead in the second inning, however, as they got two runs on four walks and one hit. Kenwood walked 13 Jones players in the game.

Jones, who had runners on second and third with no outs in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t score, was led by Chico, who had one of the four Eagles hits and drove in the two runs. Joe Casa, who pitched the last two innings picked up the win and drove in an run. Lara and Floyd Sumrall also drove in runs.

Brandon Holmes led Kenwood with four hits and scored two of the Broncos’ four runs.

It’s pretty cool to be the only Public League team still alive in the playoffs,’’ said Chico.

Lane continues softball reign

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Lane takes city softball title

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                    May 20, 2011

When a team has won four consecutive city championships, confidence can be seen when they step onto the softball field. Lane showcased its confidence Friday as it defeated rival Taft 5-0 in the city championship game at UIC. Continue reading →

Taft softball pulls upset

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Taft advances to city softball finals

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                             May 19, 2011

Sometimes all it takes to win a big game is a little luck in the right situations. Taft got all the luck they needed in extra innings as it held on for a 9-5 nine-inning win against top-seeded Northside in the first Public League semifinal at UIC. Continue reading →

Northside defeats rival Lane

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Northside takes it to Lane

BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                            May 18, 2011

Sometimes some revenge is pretty sweet. That’s exactly what Northside got when it defeated Lane in the second Public League semifinal Wednesday afternoon at Senn 25-22, 25-18. Continue reading →

Payton upsets Lincoln Park

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Payton pulls comeback against Lions

 BY MICHAEL WOJTYCHIW                                                                            May 19, 2011

Sometimes all it takes from being dominated in one game to being the dominator is just a small change in the gameplan. Payton learned that Wednesday afternoon as it came back to defeat top-seeded Lincoln Park 14-25, 25-18, 26-24 in the first Public League semifinal played at Senn. Continue reading →