Iron Mike indeed.
On the day Joliet Catholic announced Mike Ditka would be the guest speaker at their Hilltopper banquet, Michael Johnson rushed for 242 yards as JCA cruised to its second straight win, beating Wheaton North 34-14 on Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Joliet.
Johnson ran for 180 yards in the first half as JCA built a 20-0 lead in the second quarter on a pair of touchdown passes from Cade Earl to Jake Kinsella. Johnson also scored in the first quarter and had a 22-yard run early in the second.
“I saw them in the beginning of the game imitating our double-wing. That’s what made me mad,” Johnson said. “But I realized that they weren’t going as hard as I was so I came out and showed them this is how you run the double-wing. I looked at them as if they were littler than me, trucked right through them.”
Earl was injured in the second quarter and left the game, but Patrick Roth was capable as his replacement, leading JCA on two more scoring drives in the second half to put the game away after Wheaton North pulled to within a touchdown.
The Falcons battled back on a 22-yard TD pass from Luke Anthony to Marcus Gustaveson late in the second quarter. Then, Anthony connected with Adam Terrini from 23 yards on the second play from scrimmage in the third quarter to pull to within 20-14.
But Joliet Catholic had too much ground power behind Johnson, and a defense that had Bill Rotnicki picking off two passes that led to scores, and two sacks by Zach Lukasik.
“Our defense backed us up when we couldn’t score or get that first down,” Johnson said.
Rich Central 40, Plainfield Central 27: Jyran Mitchell (5-yard run) and Deshawn Jones (35) scored TDs for host Rich Central (2-0).
Chicago Christian 35, Hope 16: Luke Rattler had three TD runs, including a 97-yarder, for host Chicago Christian (1-1).
Rich South 46, Joliet Central 20: Yahya Johnson (22 carries) ran for 143 yards and four TDs to spur visiting Rich South (1-1).
St. Rita 49, Dunbar 14: Darius Allen and Connor Kelly each contributed a pair of TD runs for host St. Rita (1-1).
Shepard 34, Payton 14: Jack Carberry (7-for-13, 219 yards) passed for three TDs to pace host Shepard (1-1).
Minooka 26, Lockport 22: Matt Skobel had two TD runs (4, 52) for visiting Lockport (0-2).
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Reavis 49, Washington 12: Isiah Alpuche threw for two TDs, ran for another and also scored on a kickoff return for host Reavis (2-0).
Stagg 42, Andrew 16: Herbert Hughes (20 carries, 344 yards) scored on runs of 15, 71 and 83 yards for visiting Stagg (1-1). Andrew is 1-1.
St. Laurence 72, Vocational 14: Robert Chayka ran for two TDs (9, 41) and also scored on a 43-yard catch to spur host St. Laurence (1-1).
Marist 56, DuSable 0: Delonte Harrell had TD sprints of 60 and 70 yards for host Marist (1-1).
Lincoln-Way Central 28, Kaneland 14: Nico Muto (15 carries) rushed for 82 yards and two TDs (4, 11) to guide host Lincoln-Way Central (1-1).
Huntley 59, De La Salle 28: Tom Duddleston had three TD passes for host De La Salle (0-2).
Hillcrest 50, Oak Lawn 0: Aaron McCaskill contributed three scoring runs and two TD passes for host Hillcrest (2-0). Oak Lawn dropped to 0-2.
Geneva 35, Richards 20: William Bridgewater scored on an 89-yard kickoff return for host Richards (0-2).
Geneseo 48, Eisenhower 26: RayShawn Graham (17 carries, 148 yards, 2 TDs) led visiting Eisenhower (1-1).
Tinley Park 21, St. Ignatius 0: Quarterback Dan McCullough accounted for 290 yards and three TDs for visiting Tinley Park (2-0).
Bremen 43, Perspectives-Calumet 20: Bobby Lexow (7-for-14, 173 yards) passed for three TDs and ran for a fourth to elevate host Bremen (1-1).
Saturday’s results
T.F. South 27, Urban Prep-Englewood 0: Sterling Smith posted two TD runs (2, 30) for T.F. South (1-1) at Gately Stadium.
Ag. Science 44, Milwaukee (Wis.) South Division 16: Anthony Cracco provided two rushing TDs for Ag. Science (1-1) at Gately Stadium.
Bob Hurst is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown. Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed to this story.