The first Class 6A playoff game in the final season for Lincoln-Way North was exactly what the announcer said before the opening kickoff.
It was “Heaven on Harlem” for the Phoenix.
Host North built a 34-0 lead by halftime and rolled to a 41-0 victory Friday night over Champaign Centennial.
“We told each other we were going to come out and play fast so we could end the game early,” running back Jaylin Branch said. “And that’s what we did.”
The second-round opponent for North (10-0) will be the winner of Saturday night’s game between Richards and Morgan Park.
North put up four passing touchdowns in the second quarter to grab the commanding 34-0 halftime advantage.
“Our approach all week was every time we touch the ball, we are going to score, every possession,” quarterback Jake Arthur said.
Branch scored from a yard out — after a 23-yard run by Jamir Hunt — to give the Phoenix a 6-0 first-quarter lead. Sacks by senior linemen Giovanni Garcia and Chris Peters stopped Centennial’s next possession.
North responded with a 77-yard drive that culminated in an 18-yard touchdown pass from Arthur to Branch on the third play of the second quarter.
“We’ve had pretty much a blessed year this year with our offense,” North coach George Czart said. “Getting protection. Our quarterback is mobile out there, makes plays when he has to. Our running game has been clicking for the most part.”
Linebacker Dave Lux and linemen Peters and Kevin Beaman combined for a fourth-down sack midway through the second quarter. On the next play, Branch found Drew Slager on a 42-yard flea-flicker pass for a 20-0 lead.
“That was our first time doing that, like last game was the first time doing the hook and ladder,” Branch said. “I’m just glad it worked. I give all the credit to my offensive line.”
That group is center Nick Broadhurst, guards Nick Kramer and Jake Buhe and tackles Colan Ciciura and Mike Graham.
“I told them after the game, they’re the heart and soul of our team,” Czart said. “They’re the hardest working guys we have.”
Arthur and Pat Troike connected on back-to-back touchdowns — a 37-yarder with 3:17 to play in the first half and a 16-yarder with 46 seconds until halftime.
“Drew’s been our target this whole year,” Troike said. “I had to take the pressure off him because they were double covering him the whole game.”
More Top Picks Strabismus In Children When An Eye Turns In Or Out
Arthur completed 10 of 13 passes for 191 yards in barely more than one half. Branch rushed for 40 yards on seven carries.
Hunt had six carries for 62 yards, including a 24-yard TD early in the third quarter that completed the scoring and started a running clock and playing time for the reserves.
“We knew this game was not going to be a big challenge,” Troike said. “We know we’re going to have a lot tougher challenges ahead.”
Tim Tierney is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.