Even with Thornton’s intimidating array of football firepower, it took a huge lineman and a speedy linebacker to save the Wildcats’ day.
First, it was 6-foot-3-inch, 275-pound Phillip Parr catching a tipped pass from quarterback Marcus Randle El in the fourth quarter of the Wildcats’ Class 8A playoff opener at Lyons.
On the next play, linebacker Jeff Nowden broke free on a 56-yard touchdown run that, combined with Daniel Bravo’s conversion kick, lifted the Wildcats to a 35-34 victory Saturday in Western Springs.
Thornton (7-3) will play host to SICA Blue rival Lincoln-Way East (9-1) at 1 p.m. next Saturday.
Not only was Nowden’s carry his first of the season–it was his first in two years.
“I knew I had the first down,” Nowden said of his fourth-and-1 run. “Once I broke the tackle of [Ryan McMurray], I wasn’t going to be caught. Man, I’ve got speed.”
So does Lyons quarterback Chris Farnsworth, who scored on the fourth play of the game with a 71-yard run. Three plays later, Antonio Tribble retaliated with a 71-yard TD run of his own.
Next possession, Farnsworth scored his second TD on a 3-yard run.
Right back at you. Randle El, younger brother of Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Antwaan Randle El, scored from the 1 after completing a 54-yard pass to Brandon Tobias.
Undaunted, Lyons (7-3) responded with Brian Davis’ 15-yard touchdown run. Back came Thornton with a 35-yard scoring strike from Randle El to Martell Frazier.
The Lions roared back with Davis’ 20-yard run as the teams combined to score seven touchdowns in the game’s first seven possessions.
Thornton drew even at 28-28 on Demetrius Rudd’s 8-yard run early in the third quarter. Playing with a sprained ankle, starting tailback Rudd only managed four second-half carries. Nowden, Frazier and Ismail Ali took turns replacing him.
Farnsworth’s third touchdown, on a 2-yard run, provided a 34-28 lead early in the fourth quarter, but kicker Matt Bolt missed on the PAT.
Farnsworth rushed for 112 yards, Cliff Devroy 135 yards and Davis had 115 yards with two scores.
With one second left in the game, Bolt was dead center–but five yards short–on a 57-yard field-goal attempt.
“The only way we could’ve coped with their speed was if the rules were changed to `make it-take it,”‘ Lyons coach Jack Derning said.
