With six victories apiece, Chicago Christian and Walther Lutheran had already qualified for the state playoffs. Friday night’s showdown was to settle who could go public about Private School League football supremacy.
For now, bragging rights belong to Chicago Christian after its 30-7 homecoming victory in Palos Heights.
“Every year it’s a tough game for our school,” Chicago Christian quarterback Alex Haan said. “Everyone knows it’s a huge rivalry.”
Haan had a lot to do with the outcome. The 6-foot, 190-pound junior scored two touchdowns and tossed a pair of TD passes as Chicago Christian (7-0, 3-0) scored 30 unanswered points.
“We felt very confident we could pull this win out,” Haan said.
Senior Jon Merrick did his share, gaining 127 yards on 22 carries. Walther Lutheran (6-1, 3-1), which has been in the state playoffs 14 years in a row, struck first on the fourth play from scrimmage, a 33-yard TD pass from Steve Watson to Anthony Collaro.
But the first of Justin Stuursma’s two interceptions, this one at the goal line, ended an 11-play Walther drive late in the first quarter. Seven plays later, Haan scored from a yard out. A 30-yard field goal by Joel Stuursma gave the Knights a 9-7 lead with 3 minutes 1 second left in the half.
Haan found Justin Stuursma for a 35-yard TD and a 16-7 lead in the third quarter and added to the margin with a 1-yard run with 7:02 to play after his 45-yard scamper on the option put the Knights on Walther’s 17. Haan later connected with Kevin Drenth on a 10-yard TD with 1:52 remaining.
