Clay Czyzynski took the snap and darted through the middle of the line, cut to the right sideline and outran everybody for a 64-yard touchdown on Friday, Oct. 16.
It was exactly what New Trier football coach Brian Doll said he wanted to see from his junior quarterback.
“That was a big run, and it’s one I will remember for a long time,” Doll said.
Czyzynski’s score with 7 minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the third quarter sent the Trevians on their way to a 35-14 win over Glenbrook South in Glenview in a Central Suburban South game.
“Clay needed a game like this,” Doll said. “He needed to go out there and have fun playing football. I don’t think he did that last week. He was a little more nervous than usual. This week, he was relaxed. It was good to see.”
Czyzynski took New Trier’s 24-21 loss to Maine South especially hard. His father, Rich Czyzynski, said his son was unusually quiet following the defeat, the Trevians’ first of the season.
“It killed him,” Rich Czyzynski said. “He kept saying he will do whatever it takes to not have that happen again. Clay really cares about his team, and he will do anything for his teammates.”
Clay Czyzynski said his dad told him he needed to have a big game against the Titans to put the Maine South loss to rest. He accomplished that by rushing 10 times for 105 yards and one touchdown. Through the air, he finished 5-for-9 for 80 yards.
A week after throwing a backbreaking interception late in the fourth quarter against the Hawks, Clay Czyzynski didn’t turn over the ball on Friday, Oct. 16.
“My dad told me each game is a learning experience and an opportunity to grow as a player,” Clay Czyzynski said. “This was one of my better games, maybe my best game running.”
Rich Czyzynski’s words carry considerable weight. He played linebacker for Ohio State from 1980-1983. He also coached his son during his days playing football in the Winnetka Park District.
“Clay just had to figure some things out and move on,” Rich Czyzynski said. “I think he did.”
One series in particular showcased Clay Czyzynski’s skill set.
On a quarterback keeper, the 6-foot, 190-pounder bounced off tacklers at the line of scrimmage and spun to the outside for an 18-yard gain. Two plays later, he rolled to his right and tossed a perfect pass over the middle to senior receiver Tyler Seminetta for 51 yards down to Glenbrook South’s 4-yard line.
New Trier scored on the next play for a 14-0 lead.
“One of the things I learned about last week was to stay focused on every play and always stay positive,” Clay Czyzynski said.
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Although a junior, Friday was Clay Czyzynski’s 20th varsity football game. He led the Trevians (7-1, 3-1) to a 10-2 record and a trip to the Class 8A quarterfinals last season. It was the program’s deepest postseason run since a quarterfinal appearance in 2003.
“I feel old,” Clay Czyzynski joked. “But the game is slowing down for me, and my decision-making is always getting better.”
Game notes
* New Trier senior halfback Colin Casas scored two touchdowns, including the first one of the game on a 10-yard run. Junior running back Max Rosenthal scored on a 4-yard run, and senior defensive back Lucas Bartzis returned an interception for a touchdown.
* New Trier junior safety Eric Nicholas had one of the biggest plays of the game when he picked off a pass in the end zone with the Trevians holding a 7-0 lead. New Trier scored on its next possession.
* Glenbrook South (3-5, 1-3) started the game with three consecutive three-and-outs. When the Titans finally pieced together a drive, senior quarterback Daniel Jenkins forced a pass into the back corner of the zone, which Nicholas intercepted.
* Senior running back Ryan Janczak scored the Titans’ first touchdown on a 2-yard run with 27 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Junior running back Jake Smiley had the other one, a 7-yard run at the 4:25 mark of the fourth quarter.
* Glenbrook South will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2004, which was Mike Noll’s first season as coach. The Titans close out the regular season Saturday, Oct. 24, at Waukegan.
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