Montini turned Saturday’s Class 5A state semifinal into a pass-fest.
Broncos quarterback Chuck Norgle was 23-for-31 for 319 yards and four touchdowns as Montini dominated Geneseo 52-15 in Lombard.
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Montini (10-3) will play in its sixth consecutive state final next weekend against Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, the program that ended Montini’s string of state championships at four last season.
“We’re excited; we can’t wait,” said Norgle, who threw a pair of 5-yard scoring slants to Tyler Millikan; an 84-yard catch-and-run to Millikan for another touchdown and a 29-yard strike to Indiana recruit Leon Thornton III with 32 seconds left in the second quarter to build a 31-7 halftime lead.
“We played our best game today.”
Patrick Howard recovered a fumble on the Maple Leafs’ 30 to set up the Broncos’ second score in the first quarter.
Millikan and Thornton combined for 276 yards and four touchdowns, and Montini scored on its first six possessions.
“It’s something that sort of developed,” Millikan said of the passing game. “We thought we had an advantage over their DBs today.
Geneseo (12-1) came in with a powerful running game but had only one successful first-half drive, which ended with a 5-yard touchdown run by Ryan Pitra.
“Our defense has continued to get better,” Broncos coach Chris Andriano said. “We’re playing great, aggressive football.”
As for another trip to the finals?
“This never gets old,” Andriano said. “This says a lot about our coaches, our players. My hats off to our whole program.”
Player of the game: Chuck Norgle, Montini, 23-for-31, 319 yards, 4 TDs.
Key performers: Montini — Leon Thornton III, 8 catches, 161 yards, TD; Tyler Millikan, 5 catches, 115 yards, 3 TDs. Geneseo — Ryan Pitra, 9 carries, 58 yards, TD.
Next: 5A final — Montini vs. Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 10 a.m. Saturday, Champaign.