Coach Keith Brookshire has been steadily building at Corliss. Last year, the team picked up a first-round Class 5A state playoff win. That victory made an impression on several sophomores who were starting on varsity.
Two of them, linemen Demitris Loggers and Jaquan Gumm, have developed program-changing personalities as juniors.
“This is the most leadership we have had,” Brookshire said. “Loggers and Gumm are the main guys. I’ve seen great growth from them over the offseason, and they are doing a great job keeping everyone in line. This is the first year I’ve had that. Guys are doing what they are supposed to do.”
Loggers and Gumm also provided the blocking for some major offensive fireworks in the Trojans’ 52-12 win over host Brooks on Thursday.
Senior quarterback Jayce Trigg connected with senior Jaylin Moore for a 58-yard touchdown in the second minute of the game.
“It felt great,” Trigg said. “There were nothing but openings, and he took them. Once we connect, it is over with. That is our bond on the field.”
Trigg was 6 of 11 passing for 174 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had seven carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns. His 69-yard TD run midway through the third quarter put Corliss (2-1) ahead 32-6.
Moore, who also plays safety, caught three passes for 89 yards and hauled in an interception in the fourth quarter.
@michaelsobriensports Corliss beat Brooks 52-12. Jayce Triggs and Jaylen Moore opened the scoring with a 58-yard TD. #ihsa #football #chicago #corliss ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports
“Last year we had people saying Corliss wasn’t going to be anything,” Moore said. “That [playoff] win woke us up. Now we are here to show everyone in Chicago who we are.”
Demonte Redmond ran for 49 yards and a touchdown, and Ka’Mane Key added 57 rushing yards and a TD. Freshman Jamarius Nowells returned a kickoff 80 yards for a score at the end of the third quarter.
“I expected this,” Brookshire said. “Our team has a plan. But we are still playing sloppy. We have a lot of things to fix. Sloppy tackling and guys going the wrong way even on those plays that went big. We have to get perfect. We are playing for the postseason.”
Corliss scored the first 26 points of the game. Brooks quarterback Cal-lee Giles, a sophomore, threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Demitry Payne to get the Eagles (2-1) on the board right before halftime.
“We are taking this as practice,” Trigg said. “We are preparing for the playoffs. After last year, we want it more. We don’t want to stop winning.
@michaelsobriensports Senior Jaylen Moore led Corliss to a 52-12 win against Brooks. #ihsa #football #chicago #corliss ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports