In Thursday afternoon’s Public Illini Northwest opener between Marshall and Crane, the two-point conversion proved to be both a blessing and a curse.
Crane failed to convert on all five of its point-after attempts, while Marshall succeeded on four two-point conversions–including a crucial one in overtime–to come away with a 32-30 victory.
Crane’s Marque Moman, who rushed for 216 yards in 28 carries, ran all over the Marshall defense, breaking off-tackle runs for scores of 75 and 62 yards in the first half to help the Cougars (1-3, 0-1) to an 18-0 lead at the break.
“We were off,” Marshall coach Ben Ward said. “We didn’t prepare for Marque Moman. In the second half, we had to power them.”
Kevin Hanks made sure Marshall’s second half started off with a bang, returning the opening kickoff 91 yards for a score.
Moman countered with a 75-yard kickoff return of his own before Marshall rattled off two more scores, including Michael Armstrong’s 40-yard TD strike to Doubton Holmes in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24-24 and send it into overtime.
Moman put Crane on the board first in overtime, but Armstrong scored on a 1-yard, fourth-down QB sneak and then hit Hanks with the two-point pass for the win.
Prince Campbell led Marshall (4-0, 1-0) with 98 yards rushing in nine attempts and a two-point conversion run.
Austin 50, Farragut 0: The Tigers (3-1, 1-0) rolled in the Public Chicago West behind quarterback Thomas Nelson, who was 5-of-7 for 128 yards and four touchdowns. Nelson connected with Arthur Scott for two scores while Allen Stokes and Mike Mosley ran for 104 and 103 yards, respectively.
Simeon 28, Chicago Vocational 20: Andre Morris ran for 139 yards and a touchdown in 22 carries and also scored on a kickoff return to rally the Wolverines (2-2, 1-0) in the Public Illini Southeast.
Boys soccer
Geneva 6, Fenton 0: Greg Pipis netted two goals to lead the No. 2 Vikings (8-0-1, 5-0) in the Suburban Prairie Red.
Stevenson 1, Barrington 0: Louis Polychronos scored the lone goal for the Patriots (4-3-1) in their upset victory over the No. 3. Broncos (6-2-1).
St. Charles East 5, East Aurora 1: Shawn Brewer notched two goals as the No. 6 Saints (4-1-2, 1-1-1) picked up their first Upstate Eight victory.
Libertyville 2, St. Viator 1: Matt Mahoney assisted goals by Scott Fanning and Steve Brooks to help the No. 10 Wildcats (6-3-1) grab the non-conference win. Rob Costello scored for St. Viator (2-4-1).
Argo 2, Bolingbrook 0: Daniel Wrobel and Marco Contreras scored while Eddie Garcia had seven saves in goal for Argo (6-1, 1-0) in the SICA North.
Batavia 3, Plainfield 1: Sam Reinde and Brandon Kaisler each had a goal and assist for Batavia (4-1, 4-1) in the Suburban Prairie Red.
Downers North 1, Wheaton W. South 1: Mike Schmidt scored for Downers North (5-1-1) in the first half, and Mark Kroeger tied it for the Tigers (2-1-1) midway through the second.
Glenbrook South 2, Niles North 1: Alex Lofgren scored the tying goal and notched an assist on the winning score as Glenbrook South (4-1-2, 1-0) won its Central Suburban South opener.
McHenry 3, Prairie Ridge 2: Paul Kloeckner’s two goals lifted McHenry (3-2-1, 1-0) in the Fox Valley.
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Sycamore 3, Kaneland 0: Ben Herman’s goal and assist led the Spartans (6-1-2, 3-0) in the Suburban Prairie White.
University High 5, Morgan Park Academy 0: John Oxtoby scored two goals for the Maroons (6-2, 2-0) in the Independent School League.
Girls volleyball
Mother McAuley d. Mt. Assisi 15-8, 15-4: Megan Griffin and Maddie Barron had six kills each to lead the top-ranked Mighty Macs (7-0, 2-0) in the GCAC Red.
Providence d. Fenwick 15-8, 15-4: Renata Dargan had four aces and 16 assists for the second-ranked Celtics (10-0, 1-0).
Naperville Central d. West Aurora 15-13, 15-8: Cayley Thurlby notched 15 assists as the No. 3 Redhawks (8-0-1, 3-0) prevailed in the DuPage Valley.
Downers Grove South d. Neuqua Valley 15-2, 15-7: Claire McCormack’s nine kills and Shannon Parker’s 25 assists propelled the fourth-ranked Mustangs (5-0).
St. Charles East d. Elgin 15-2, 15-4: Kim Holm and Kristin Halt had five kills apiece for the No. 6 Saints (14-1, 1-0) in the Upstate Eight.
Sandburg d. Lincoln-Way East 15-6, 15-13: Colleen Byrne had 11 kills and Kathy Sulkowski added nine kills to lead the No. 9 Eagles (7-1, 2-0) in the SICA West. Sarah Kwasigroch contributed 22 assists for Sandburg.
Queen of Peace d. St. Ignatius 15-1, 5-15, 15-5: Lauren Joyce, Gee Banasiak, Julie Popp and Theresa Nugent each had three kills for the No. 10 Pride (5-1).
Bartlett d. Lake Park 13-15, 15-12, 15-6: Jaci Battistoni had eight kills and Michele Ehrlich added 25 assists to pace the Hawks (4-5, 1-0) in the Upstate Eight.
Hersey d. Buffalo Grove 15-10, 15-10: Jenna Bell’s seven kills and Michelle Westerkamp’s five kills gave the Huskies (9-1, 3-0) the edge in the Mid-Suburban East.
Lincoln-Way Central d. Andrew 15-9, 13-15, 15-7: Becky Libowitz had three aces and 16 digs to go with Megan Majcina’s six kills to lead the Knights (6-0, 3-0) in the SICA West.
Montini d. Wheaton Aca. 15-5, 15-9: Caitlin Sikora had eight kills and Melissa Dobry added seven to lead the Broncos (7-5).
Oak Park d. Maria 15-5, 15-5: Beca Palmer’s eight kills led the Huskies (11-3).
Prairie Ridge d. Crystal Lake South 15-8, 15-4: Katie O’Riordan collected 25 assists, three kills and two aces for the Wolves (7-4, 3-1) in the Fox Valley.
Prosser d. Lake View 15-8, 15-11: Erica Love’s 10 kills and Mandy Swan’s three aces led Prosser (2-1, 2-0) in the Public Blue.