In a conference dominated for years by Andrew and Bolingbrook, No. 18 Bradley-Bourbonnais was looking to make a statement Friday night.
James Wright rushed for 140 yards in 16 carries and scored three touchdowns as the host Boilermakers (7-1, 5-1) outscored Andrew 14-0 in the fourth quarter en route to a 28-17 SICA Gray victory.
Wright scored on runs of 10, 35 and 36 yards, and quarterback Jon Berwanger added a touchdown pass to complete Bradley’s scoring.
“James [Wright] is the home-run hitter of our offense and as he gains more experience he has the opportunity to become dominate force in our league,” said Bradley coach Craig Bundy, whose team defeated Andrew for the first time in eight years.
Matt Maxwell scored on runs of 2 and 47 yards for Andrew, which drops to 3-5, 3-3. Bradley will face Romeoville (5-2, 5-0) next Friday to determine the SICA Gray champion.
Up next: Friday at Romeoville.
2. Lincoln Way: Joe Schimmel rushed for 90 yards in nine carries and scored four touchdowns as No. 2 Lincoln-Way (8-0, 6-0) romped past Joliet 58-12 in the SICA Blue. Lou Foytik led Lincoln-Way with 141 yards in nine attempts and a touchdown. Casey Paus was 13-of-21 for 174 yards passing.
“We knew coming in that Joliet was much better than their record indicated,” Lincoln-Way coach Rob Glielmi said. “We didn’t take them lightly. Our guys came out and played hard. We have a lot of respect for Joliet. It wasn’t time for us to relax.”
Trenell Mance had a 67-yard TD and T.J. Jackson added a 93-yard kickoff return for Joliet (2-6, 1-5).
Up next: Friday at home vs. Bloom.
3. Joliet Catholic: J.R. Zwierzynski rushed for 117 yards in 16 attempts and scored rushing and receiving touchdowns as the third-ranked Hilltoppers (8-0, 6-0) romped past Marist 37-10 in the Catholic Metro White. Craig Tomasino was 5-of-10 for 121 yards and two touchdowns for Joliet Catholic, which won the conference for the second consecutive season.
With Joliet Catholic leading 16-10 in the fourth quarter, Tomasino fired a 69-yard touchdown pass to Pat McShane to break the game open.
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“I think Tomasino stepped up and made some big passes,” Joliet Catholic coach Dan Sharp said. “When our offense finally got into rhythm, we were able to move the ball and make some big plays particularly on the passing game.”
Brian McGuire scored on a 32-yard touchdown run in the third quarter for Marist (3-5, 1-5).
Up next: Friday at Carmel.
7. Rolling Meadows: Abe Jones ran for 90 yards in 24 carries and scored three touchdowns as the No. 7 Mustangs (8-0, 4-0) downed Wheeling 38-12 in the Mid-Suburban East. Quarterback Joe Wright added 120 rushing yards in 10 carries and two TD passes.
P.J. Hartung was 10-of-12 for 116 yards passing for Wheeling (1-7, 0-4).
Up next: Friday at home vs. Elk Grove.
9. Providence: Mike Mentz rushed for 116 yards in 21 carries and scored two touchdowns as the No. 9 Celtics (7-1, 5-1) rolled past St. Laurence 48-0 in the Catholic Metro Blue. Steve Quigley was 4-for-4 for 51 yards for 51 yards and three touchdowns for Providence.
Providence led 35-0 at the half and then Matt Martino returned the second half kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown. Richard Brown added 54 yards in six attempts and scored on a 15-yard run for the Celtics.
St. Laurence falls to 1-7, 0-6.
Up next: Oct. 21 at Loyola.
10. McHenry Brady Noll rushed for 96 yards in 10 carries, scored three rushing touchdowns and caught a 19-yard scoring pass as the No. 10 Warriors (8-0, 8-0) defeated Crystal Lake Central 64-6 in the Fox Valley. Noll also had two interceptions on defense.
Rick Lenzie ran for 96 yards in nine carries, scored a rushing touchdown and returned an interception 57 yards for another score.
Matt Ganek scored on a 47-yard run for Crystal Lake Central (0-8, 0-8).
Up next: Friday at Crystal Lake South.
12. Plainfield: Jake Shields rushed for 166 yards in 18 carries and a touchdown as No. 12 Plainfield (8-0, 6-0) rallied from a nine-point deficit to down Minooka 21-16 in the Suburban Prairie Red. Chris Dahde scored on a 23-yard run to give Plainfield the lead late in the third quarter.
“We knew [Minooka was] going to come out hard and tough,” Plainfield coach John Jackson said. “They have great athletes and great kids. I feel sad it came down to us knocking them out of the playoffs.
“It came down to who made fewer mistakes. The team that made the least won.”
Scott Moss had 136 yards in 28 attempts and a touchdown for Minooka (4-4, 3-3).
Up next: Friday at Morris.
13. Downers Grove North: Kyle Kleckner was 8-of-12 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns as No. 13 Downers Grove North (7-1, 4-1) blanked Proviso West 35-0 in the West Suburban Silver. Kleckner also ran for two two-point conversions and even caught a 14-yard pass.
“Whether it’s running the ball or passing the ball, I haven’t seen anybody [like Kleckner] who can make things out of nothing and create on the field,” Downers North coach Pete Ventrelli said. “He’s the best I’ve seen.”
Proviso West falls to 1-7, 0-5.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Hinsdale Central.
16. Hinsdale South: Zach Luetkemeyer carried 14 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns to give No. 16 Hinsdale South (7-1, 4-1) a 42-20 victory over Proviso East in the West Suburban Gold. Teammate Greg Cozzi, who ran for 89 yards, added two touchdowns.
“Our offense really fired up tonight and drove the field at will,” Hinsdale South coach Jim Kirwan said.
Proviso East (1-7, 1-5) was led by Reginald Sculfied, who gained 111 yards and scored a touchdown.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Downers Grove South.
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20. Willowbrook: Aaron Burns tallied 178 yards in 29 rushes and scored two touchdowns as No. 20 Willowbrook (7-1, 4-1) scored 21 fourth-quarter points to down Leyden 28-6 in the West Suburban Gold. Allen Swilley added 134 yards in 14 carries and a 62-yard touchdown run for the winners.
Jon Kornecki scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter for Leyden (1-7, 1-4).
Up next: Friday at Addison Trail.