Covering a high school football game is challenging, especially in the social media age. Keeping stats and moving up and down the sideline trying to capture video highlights keeps reporters busy. There’s no replay to watch and barely enough time to track the yardage for each play.
That’s my excuse for not realizing that Mount Carmel occasionally used receiver Marshaun Thornton at defensive end in its 48-7 win against Lincoln-Way East in the Class 8A quarterfinals.
Caravan coach Jordan Lynch brought it up after the game.
“It gave [Williams] some problems,” Lynch said. “He noticed it and he started scrambling out of the pocket too early. That was the whole plan. Kudos to our defensive coaches.”
Thornton caught a 39-yard TD in the game and also threw a pass on a trick play. It was a 24-yard completion to Nathan Samuels. Mount Carmel has regularly used trick plays this season and ran three against the Griffins.
“Kids love trick plays,” Lynch said. “My wife likes trick plays. We had to dial one up. It just keeps the defense on their toes. Just another way you have to cover this offense. We have a lot of great athletes on this team that can throw it, catch it and run it.”
The Caravan’s defense was the story of the game after holding Williams and Lincoln-Way East to one touchdown. That overshadowed a tremendous game from Samuels. The junior rushed for 91 yards and three TDs and caught seven passes for 105 yards. He’s been a breakout star over the second half of the season.
All-time great
The result of the game also overshadowed Williams breaking the state record for career passing yards. He now holds the records for most passing TDs and most passing yards in state history. The USC recruit is one of the best players Illinois high school football has seen.
“When the dust settles and our wounds heal, being involved with that young man and his family has been the highlight of my career,” Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar said. “That relationship will be forever. He’s so special. He elevated a team, a school and a community. That’s what he did. He wasn’t just making plays and throwing touchdowns. It was his character and his leadership and who he is. I’m indebted to him and his family for trusting us. He’s going to go on and do a lot of special things.”
St. Rita is still alive
St. Rita knocked off rival Marist to open the season. Then the Mustangs lost to Mount Carmel, Brother Rice and St. Francis and receded from the spotlight. But coach Martin Hopkins knew he had a talented team and St. Rita, which was 2-4 after six weeks, is now in the Class 7A semifinals after beating Hersey 56-42.
The Mustangs have been piling up points the second half of the season. They are averaging 43 points over their last six games and will host Batavia on Saturday.
Quarterback Steven Armbruster threw for 261 yards against Hersey and running back Brandon Johnson had 21 carries for 128 yards.
Undefeated Belvidere North
There was only one quarterfinal game on Friday, so I was up in Cary to see undefeated Belvidere North take on Cary-Grove.
The Trojans were heavy favorites. Cary-Grove’s victory against mighty East St. Louis in the 2021 Class 6A title game was one of the most memorable games in state football history and Brad Seaburg’s program has consistently played at a high level.
But the Blue Thunder pulled off a 17-10 upset. It was the biggest in in school history.
“Nobody knows even where we are,” Belvidere North linebacker Noah Rooney said. “It’s about time Belvidere North was put on the map.”
Belvidere North, which is located just east of Rockford, technically isn’t in the Sun-Times’ coverage area. But the Blue Thunder earned their press against one of the state’s top programs. They will host St. Francis in the semifinals on Saturday.