Playing defense is usually a down-and-dirty task in which athletes get noticed more often for missed tackles and blown coverages than anything else.
For example, watch the Bears on any given Sunday.
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But Downers Grove South’s starting defensive unit had been garnering accolades and headlines all season with five consecutive shutouts heading into Friday night’s West Suburban Gold showdown at home against Willowbrook.
Although the first-team defense gave up its first touchdown, the No. 1 Mustangs continued to roll with a 27-7 victory to clinch a share of the conference title. For Class 8A champion Downers South (8-0, 5-0), this was the 19th straight victory, and the Mustangs have outscored their last six opponents by a total of 189-7.
“We knew that sooner or later the streak would be broken and somebody was going to score on us,” said junior linebacker Sam Carson, who finished with nine tackles, one interception, a fumble recovery and two pass deflections. “After that, we sucked it up and didn’t let them score again.”
Trailing 7-3, Downers South responded with two straight scores and went into halftime with an 18-7 lead. First came Mike Sharp’s 3-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal, which was followed by Erick Newman’s two-point run.
Bob Sakamoto.
Up next for Downers Grove South: Friday at Morton.
2. Wheaton North
The Falcons snapped a 14-year losing streak against Wheaton Warrenville South as quarterback Zach Ullrich scored twice in the second half in a come-from-behind 23-7 win.
Ullrich threw for 168 yards and rushed for 68 more as Wheaton North (8-0, 5-0) also clinched at least a share of its first DuPage Valley title since 1988.
The Tigers’ only touchdown came early as defensive back Jamar Simpson scooped up a fumble and scrambled 32 yards for a score with eight minutes left in the opening quarter.
“When they scored early, we really didn’t think anything of it,” Ullrich said. “We knew we were going to put points on the board eventually.”
Wheaton North got on the board midway through the second quarter after Ullrich engineered an 11-play, 80-yard drive that concluded with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Matt Pokorn.
In the second half, Ullrich scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards. Wheaton South slipped to 4-4, 3-2.
Jack McCarthy.
Up next: Friday at home vs. West Aurora.
3. Providence
Clay Cleveland ran for 160 yards and two touchdowns on 16 attempts as the Celtics (8-0, 5-0) coasted past Bishop McNamara 63-6 in the Catholic Metro Red. Mark Reiter also scored two TDs for Providence, including one on a 43-yard interception return. McNamara (4-4, 2-3) scored on a 70-yard pass play from Tom Regnier to Randy Murray.
Up next: Friday at home vs. St. Viator.
4. Hinsdale Central
Brad Bower rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another as the Red Devils (8-0) knocked off Hinsdale South 48-14 in a West Suburban crossover. Brian Grzelakowski had 23 carries for 148 yards and three TDs for Hinsdale Central, which avenged a 35-27 loss from last year. Zach Nelson led Hinsdale South (3-5) with 92 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Oak Park.
6. Carmel
Josh Robinson scored on runs of 40 and 16 yards as the Corsairs (8-0) beat No. 16 St. Rita 28-20. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Friday at Marian Catholic.
7. Lake Park
Bartlett (5-3, 5-1) upset the Lancers 21-14 in the Upstate Eight. Lake Park dropped to 7-1, 4-1. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Friday at Elgin.
11. Morris
Zach Degrush ran for two touchdowns and caught three TD passes as Morris (8-0, 7-0) ripped Kaneland 62-14 in the Suburban Prairie White. Benjy Kennedy contributed four TD passes for the winners.
Up next: Friday at Ridgewood.
12. Naperville North
Corey McKeon rushed for four touchdowns as the Huskies (7-1, 5-1) pounded West Aurora 55-0 in the DuPage Valley. McKeon had 73 yards on eight carries, while Mike Costantino had 97 yards on seven carries.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Glenbard East.
13. Joliet Catholic
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The host Hilltoppers needed just one half to surpass 40 points for the third straight week in defeating Holy Cross 63-18 in the Catholic Metro Red.
Joliet Catholic (6-2, 4-1) scored on its first five possessions, building a 42-18 halftime lead. Holy Cross (3-5, 3-3) found many holes in the Hilltopppers’ defense, gaining 261 yards, including Dan Loper’s 58-yard TD run.
But Joliet Catholic’s defense also contributed. Linebacker Ryan Lincoln jarred the ball loose from Crusaders quarterback Ryan Newman, and defensive end Brad Sing recovered and ran 42 yards for a TD.
Joliet Catholic running back Ross Crampton scored touchdowns on runs of 3, 44 and 70 yards, and he turned a short pass from quarterback Ryan Quigley into a 57-yard score.
Joliet Catholic racked up 514 yards, with Crampton gaining 226 yards on 14 carries. Quigley passed for 178 yards.
Ken O’Brien.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Hales Franciscan.
14. Lockport
Steve Walker was 18-of-30 passing for 248 yards and three touchdowns as the Porters (7-1, 6-0) overpowered Sandburg 42-0 in the SICA Blue. Dave Fliwa added two rushing touchdowns for Lockport. Sandburg (1-7, 1-5) committed four turnovers.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Thornton.
15. Lincoln-Way East
It was parents night at Bloom Township, and the home crowd was hoping for a special performance from the Blazing Trojans, who already have made this season memorable in winning more games than in the last seven seasons combined.
But Lincoln-Way East’s special teams ruined the mood in Chicago Heights. They were responsible for the first four scores in the Griffins’ 48-7 romp over the Trojans.
The Griffins improved to 7-1 and 5-1 in the SICA Blue, where they trail Lockport by a game. Bloom (4-4, 2-4) needs a win over Homewood-Flossmoor next week to keep hopes alive for their first playoff berth since 1989.
Mike Cholipski returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown. Cholipski intercepted a pass on broken play after a bad punt snap and had a 43-yard punt return to set up the next two scores for the Griffins. Greg Gerritsen had TD runs of 3, 15 and 1 yards. Adam Longbons blocked a punt and added a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
The Griffins’ defense, which has allowed just 17 points in the last four games, was led by Marc Saldana’s two fumble recoveries and Cholipski’s two interceptions.
Bill Harrison.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Sandburg.
16. St. Rita
The Mustangs (6-2) fell to No. 6 Carmel 28-20. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Friday at home vs. St. Patrick.
17. T.F. South
Pierre Thomas rushed for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries as the Rebels (8-0, 6-0) downed Reavis 33-13 in the SICA Orange. Vinny Calabrese added a 31-yard touchdown run and a 17-yard TD catch.
Up next: Friday at No. 10 Richards.
20. Andrew
Bolingbrook (7-1, 5-1) downed the No. 20 Thunderbolts (6-2, 5-1) 21-7 in the SICA Gray contest. See story, this page.
Up next: Friday at Bradley-Bourbonnais.