Watching the events of Thornton Fractional North’s chaotic final drive against Rich East was heart-wrenching for fans of both SICA Green schools.
T.F. North had two touchdowns called back on penalties in that drive, which featured a combined five penalties by both teams which either kept the drive alive or foiled a score by the Meteors.
In the end, Rich East held on for a 25-22 victory over T.F. North, meaning that six teams still have a shot at the SICA Green crown.
T.F. North, Rich Central and Hillcrest each stand at 4-2 in the league. Rich South, Kankakee and Bremen are 3-3.
“We’re in a conference where four or five wins can get you a title,” T.F. North coach Tim Zasada said. “We have to rebound from this and get the job done [against Rich South] next week.
In a game that featured three lead changes, the Rockets (4-4, 2-4) went ahead for good with 2 minutes 56 seconds left in the game on a 30-yard halfback pass on fourth-and-4 from Josh Smith to Lawrence Conner.
It would be the second time the two would combine for a touchdown on a halfback option pass. However, the first time, Smith was on the receiving end of with a 24-yarder from Conner in the second quarter to give the Rockets a 12-7 lead. The Meteors (5-3) took a 15-12 lead into the break on a 1-yard run by Dan Vasilak.
On the Meteors’ final drive, Chris Smith (22 carries, 142 yards, 2 TDs) had scored the apparent go ahead touchdown with less than 20 seconds left but the play was called back on a double-shift penalty. Two plays later, Bobby Neal caught a pass in the end zone in heavy traffic but a holding call would negate that score.
“We put them in a hard predicament for the conference [title],” Smith said after finishing with one touchdown each in rushing, receiving and passing.
— Bill Harrison
Buffalo Grove 28, Rolling Meadows 6: Tommy Zbikowski threw two touchdown passes and scored on a 42-yard run to lead the No. 5 Bison (8-0, 4-0) in the Mid-Suburban East. Jason Olichwier ran for 100 yards on 10 carries and scored on a 43-yard run for Buffalo Grove.
Mt. Carmel 27, Notre Dame 7: Greg Owens ran for 203 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries and Jamie Medlock added 109 yards and a TD on 19 attempts for the Caravan (7-1, 4-1) in the Catholic Metro White.
Richards 48, Oak Lawn 22: Sean Lewis fired four touchdown passes and also scored on a 6-yard run for the No. 10 Bulldogs (8-0, 6-0) in the SICA Orange.
Maine South 40, Waukegan 0: In the Central Suburban South, the No. 18 Hawks (7-1, 4-0) scored two defensive touchdowns in a 26-point third quarter en route to their seventh straight victory. Kevin Collins returned a fumble 22 yards for a TD and Mike Labus brought back an interception 18 yards for another score.
Libertyville 35, Antioch 7: Kevin Fontana rushed for 164 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries as the No. 19 Wildcats (7-1, 4-0) rolled in the North Suburban Lake. Antioch dedicated the game to wide receiver Mike Lynn, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Chicago Christian 61, Luther North 13: Jim Voss scored five touchdowns–four rushing and one on a fumble return of 19 yards–as the Knights (8-0, 6-0) won in the Private School League.
Driscoll 42, St. Edward 6: Greg Turner caught eight passes for 171 yards and four touchdowns for the Highlanders (7-1, 5-1) in the Suburban Catholic.
Immaculate Conception 34, St. Francis 12: Quarterback Anthony Schreiber rushed for a touchdown, passed for a touchdown and kicked two field goals to lead the Knights (8-0, 6-0) in the Suburban Catholic.
Lyons Township 35, Oak Park 0: Brian Davis rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries to lead the Lions (6-2, 3-2) in the West Suburban Silver.
Marmion 28, Aurora Central Catholic 0: Ryan Clementz rushed for 212 yards and two TDs on 30 attempts for the Cadets (4-4, 3-3) in the Suburban Catholic.
Steinmetz 28, Hyde Park 26 (OT): Offensive lineman Herbert Oboa recovered teammate Lardester Green’s fumble in the end zone as Steinmetz won in overtime. Justin Anderson’s two-point conversion run gave Steinmetz (8-0, 5-0) the Public Chicago Big Shoulders title.
Hyde Park (5-3, 4-1), which rallied from a 20-0 halftime deficit, took the lead in overtime on Jermel Ollie’s 4-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion run failed.
Namon Johnson scored on a 10-yard run and Green added two rushing TDs in the first half for Steinmetz. Hyde Park’s Ollie scored three second-half rushing touchdowns, including a 4-yard score with 4:49 left in regulation to tie the game.
Amir Haywood led Steinmetz with 119 yards on 17 carries, while Ollie finished with four touchdowns for Hyde Park.
Thornton 48, Joliet 0: Marcus Randle El rushed for two touchdowns and passed for another as the Wildcats (6-2, 4-2) won in the SICA Blue. Demetrius Rudd added two TD runs.
