Trailing for three quarters, Young turned it up a notch in the fourth to knock off Steinmetz 29-11 in a first-round Public League playoff game Thursday at Hanson Stadium.
Quarterback Nate Harrington ran for a 16-yard touchdown and running back Rob Simms added two scores as Young (5-4) scored three times in the fourth quarter to overcome an 11-8 deficit.
“We knew Steinmetz would come in very high emotionally,” Young coach Tim Frenken said of the Chicago North runner-up which entered on a four-game winning streak. “They were ready to play and I don’t think we were.”
On the opening drive, Steinmetz (6-3) took a 3-0 lead on a 24-yard field goal by Israel Garcia and followed by surprising Young with an onside-kick recovery. Young, which placed third in the Illini North, didn’t gain possession until the second quarter and was forced to punt after three plays.
However, on Young’s second play of its next possession, Harrington connected with Brandon Wade for a 34-yard TD. Simms ran in the conversion for an 8-3 lead with 6 minutes 14 seconds left in the half.
Steinmetz responded when quarterback Dogan Genis hit Gerardo Jiminez on a quick slant that Jiminez turned into a 40-yard score. Michael Bellamy’s conversion run gave the Silver Streaks an 11-8 lead.
“This is the best team we’ve had in a long time,” Steinmetz coach Elbert Kern said. “We turned it around from an 0-8 season last year. I’m very proud of our team.”
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Young showed its experience in the second half. Set up by a Bryan Jackson fourth-quarter interception at the Steinmetz 47-yard line, Harrington’s 16-yard touchdown came six plays later with 10:13 left. Harrington and Khair Sadrud-Din hooked up for the two-point conversion and a 16-11 lead.
Young’s Enrique Arroyo followed by blocking a punt and Simms (158 yards in 26 carries) put the game out of reach with a 2-yard touchdown with 1:53 remaining. Simms added a 5-yard score with 6 seconds left.
“Our kids played hard and showed character,” Frenken said. “They stuck in there until we finally got a little momentum and then we put them away.
Johnny Rosenstein.
Crane 22, Senn 14: Melvin Woodard had 145 yards rushing in 24 carries, including a 60-yard touchdown run for Crane (8-0) in their Public League playoff opener.
Curie 35, Harlan 6: Terrance Williams rushed for 149 yards in 18 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Condors (9-0) won their opening-round Public League playoff game. Curie quarterback David Kato rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another. Carlos Lewis, who had 1 1/2 sacks and a fumble recovery led Curie’s defense. Curie tallied five sacks and forced four turnovers.
Aaron Rawls caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Keith Johnson for Harlan (4-5).
Hubbard 58, Bowen 0: Maurice Johnson ran for touchdowns of 9, 53 and 55 yards and Nicholas Davis threw for three touchdowns as Hubbard (6-3) scored on its first eight possessions in the first round of the Public League playoffs.
“Whoever we play in the state tournament better come ready to play because this team is coming together,” Hubbard coach Elton Harris said.
Johnson finished with 119 yards in six carries and Reggie Cribbs scampered 78 yards for a score on the first play from scrimmage.
Mather 42, Prosser 8: Charles Robinson scored touchdowns on a 92-yard kickoff return and a 56-yard punt return to lead the Rangers (7-2), which led 28-8 after one quarter of the Public League playoff game.
Karl Markowski’s 35-yard touchdown pass from Tyreke Booker was the only score for Prosser (5-4).
Morgan Park 14, King 6: Andre Downing hit Rey McCoi on a 7-yard pass in the second quarter as Morgan Park (7-2) advanced in the Public League playoffs and qualified for the state playoffs.
King (5-4), who only had 14 players suited up, was led by Ronald Stewart’s 87 yards rushing, including a 41-yard score in the fourth quarter, 87 yards passing and made 16 tackles on defense.
North Shore Country Day 28, Shoreland (Wis.) Lutheran 13: P.J. Olson had an 82-yard fumble return for a score and added a rushing touchdown, finishing with 86 yards in 18 carries for North Shore (5-4).
Boys soccer
St. Charles East 1, St. Viator 0: Preston Jones scored the game’s lone goal with 5:09 left in the second half for the No. 8 Saints (16-4-2). Wesley Akers made seven saves to preserve the shutout.
Girls volleyball
Prairie Ridge d. Crystal Lake South 15-3, 15-11: Amy Benson’s 11 straight service points to end the first game put the No. 5 Wolves (33-2, 13-0) on their way to their second Fox Valley championship in three years.
Laura Hambien led Crystal Lake South (22-12-1, 10-3) with five kills.
Naperville North d. Glenbard East 15-4, 15-5: Kathleen Bazzetta’s eight kills and six digs led the No. 6 Huskies (27-2-1, 13-1) to the DuPage Valley title.
Batavia d. Fenton 15-9, 15-2: Meghan Hoffman’s 10 kills paved the way for Batavia (23-11-1, 11-3) to clinch their first-ever Suburban Prairie Red title.
Chicago Latin d. Lake Forest Academy 15-7, 15-8: Courtney Hull had 24 assists and five kills and Maggie Hummel had nine kills as Latin (20-6, 11-0) clinched the Independent School League title.
Glenbrook North d. Deerfield 15-9, 15-6: Heather Dawson tallied 27 assists and Carly Bearwald finished with 11 kills for league champion Glenbrook North (25-5, 10-0) in the Central Suburban North.
Illiana Christian d. St. Francis de Sales 15-9. 15-10: Erin Dees led the way for the Vikings (20-9) in their non-conference win with four kills, four aces and seven blocks.
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Lincoln-Way d. Stagg 15-6, 15-5: Sarah Blocker and Stacey Hammeister had nine kills apiece for Lincoln-Way (21-12) in the SICA West.
Oak Forest d. Bremen 15-7, 16-14: Lauren Novak had 13 kills and Heather Kunkel added 24 assists as the Bengals (21-13, 10-2) clinched the SICA Central title.
Oak Lawn d. Romeoville 15-11, 15-9: Sam Synowiecki had 13 kills and 16 digs for the Spartans, who improved to 9-1 in the SICA North.
Seneca d. Dwight 15-3, 15-3: Christen O’Malley had 11 kills, 10 points and five digs to lead Seneca (22-9-2) in the Interstate Eight.