JumboTron has come to high school football.
What’s next? Skybox suites?
In what’s believed to be the first time in Illinois high school football, Libertyville set up a 40-by-25-foot screen in the corner of the end zone for replays and crowd shots.
“This is the same screen that was put up in [the city] last year for the White Sox [World Series] celebration,” athletic director Tim Albers said.
“It was paid for by all the merchants and companies in town. There were so many who wanted to advertise on it that we had to turn some of them down.”
And when Libertyville quarterback Ryan Kennedy took off on a game-clinching, 47-yard touchdown run, heading right toward the big screen, did he take a glance?
“No, I didn’t even think about it,” Kennedy said with a laugh after leading No. 5 Libertyville to a 21-12 victory over No. 17 Stevenson on Friday night before a Johnson Sports Complex standing-room crowd estimated at 6,500.
“But,” he admitted, “I did take a look after I scored on the other [10-yard] run.
“This is just amazing, and it didn’t seem like a normal high school football game. Our parents and teachers–everyone–they do so much for us.
“And look at these fans. They’re the best.”
Kennedy gave them something to remember. He finished with 227 yards of total offense and accounted for all three scores for the Wildcats (7-0, 4-0 North Suburban Lake).
As if to answer those doubters who thought Stevenson (6-1, 3-1) was overrated, the Patriots scored on their first possession as quarterback Kevin Murtha (22 of 36, 238 yards, two TDs) hit Erik Albert with a 4-yard TD pass near the end of the first quarter.
Libertyville came right back with a 91-yard drive culminated by Kennedy’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Nik Ebert with 8 minutes 24 seconds left in the second quarter.
A fake punt by Joey Bowens and an 8-yard run later in the second quarter led to Kennedy’s 10-yard TD run. That touchdown came on fourth down and 1.
Stevenson came within 14-12 early in the third quarter on Murtha’s 13-yard TD pass to Michael Kantor. Libertyville’s Ethan Gaus registered three straight sacks in the fourth quarter.
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bsakamoto@tribune.com
