In his new starting role for Crete-Monee, senior quarterback August LaBranche sometimes looks more like a magician doing a card trick.
LaBranche has become a master of sleight of hand and confusing defenses as the Warriors utilize a ton of misdirection and a plethora of running backs to keep the opposition guessing about who is getting the ball.
While Crete-Monee isn’t passing nearly as much as the past few seasons, LaBranche knows his execution is still vital.
“We practice it a lot,” LaBranche said. “It’s fun to fake the defense out and it’s really fun to score touchdowns. It’s a new system for me, but as long as we’re winning, that’s all that matters.
“I’ll adjust to any system I need to adjust to.”
LaBranche did his job to perfection Saturday as the Warriors rushed for 456 yards. He ran for a touchdown and threw a TD pass as visiting Warriors rolled to a 43-6 Southland Conference win over Bloom in Chicago Heights.
Dominic Jackson had a huge all-around game for Crete-Monee (7-2, 5-1). He ran for 102 yards and two TDs on just eight carries, threw a 1-yard TD pass to Kamal Bryant and led the defense with a sack and two tackles for loss.
Anson LaBranche, August’s twin brother, also had a sack, while Jayvien Pearson added an interception for the Warriors.
Jovarion Wilson ran for a 4-yard TD for Bloom (3-6, 1-5). Isaiah Dunlap finished with 47 yards passing and 32 yards rushing.
The LaBranche twins, meanwhile, are making an impact all over the field for the Warriors. And they’re loving doing it together.
“It’s really amazing,” August said. “We have a lot of chemistry, and being out on the field together, it helps us make plays.”
Anson, a senior linebacker/running back, has enjoyed seeing August get his first shot to start at quarterback for the Warriors as a senior.
“I think he’s doing pretty good with the system he’s in,” Anson said of August. “I think he’s adjusted pretty well to the passing game and the amount of motions he does, remembering everything to do.
“It’s a lot, and I think he’s done a good job with it.”
So does Crete-Monee coach John Konecki.
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“August has done a fantastic job with this offense,” Konecki said. “He’s continued to morph into his position. We’re blessed to have a lot of guys who can touch the ball and make things happen.
“August has taken on that role of getting all those guys the ball.”
LaBranche ran for a 4-yard TD and threw a 17-yard TD pass to Aven Atkins as the Warriors raced to a 43-0 halftime lead.
At the same time, Anson does the little things all over the field.
“Anson does a great job on defense, and then on offense, he’s a tremendous blocker,” Konecki said. “It’s like having an extra guard back there. When he brings it as a blocker, it’s devastating.”
Anson even earned a chance to play Wildcat quarterback Saturday, getting to see the game the way his twin always does.
“It was fun getting to become a quarterback a bit and seeing what August does,” Anson said. “August and I have been doing this since we were little kids on the University Park Lions.
“It’s really fun to do it together as seniors in high school.”
And August is certainly happy to have Anson by his side.
“Growing up, sometimes we lifted each other up, sometimes we fought, like any other brothers,” August said. “A little bit of everything. But he’s helped me quite a lot. We’ve always gone to the field together, always practiced together.
“He’s always there when I need him.”