Reilly O’Toole made the most of his return to the field.
The superior passer in No.3 Wheaton Warrenville South’s two-quarterback system, O’Toole had a hand in his team’s first four touchdowns Friday as the Tigers registered a 38-7 victory over No.18 Naperville North in Naperville.
After spending most of last week’s victory over Naperville Central on the sideline, the 6-foot-3, 195-pound junior threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 48 yards and two scores as the Tigers outscored Naperville North 28-0 in the second half to win their third straight since falling to No.1 Maine South.
“It’s a different game plan every week,” said O’Toole, who ceded quarterback duties to senior Mack Tracey last week. “We thought if we established the run, it would set up play action, and we had some big plays on play action.”
One in particular allowed Wheaton Warrenville South (4-1, 3-0 DuPage Valley) to breathe easy. After a play fake, O’Toole fired a quick slant to Greg McAndrew, who had no one to beat on a 76-yard touchdown that put the Tigers ahead 24-7 early in the fourth quarter.
O’Toole’s other touchdown pass, an 8-yarder to Matt Rogers, came on fourth-and-goal to make it 17-7 late in the third. He scored on a 3-yard run to tie it at 7-7 in the first quarter and a 28-yarder that seemed to stun Naperville North (3-2, 1-2).
“He can run,” said Tracey, who caught four passes for 65 yards. “He looked a little awkward on that long run, but he got the job done. Teams may see me as more of the running threat, and they aren’t as worried about it with Reilly. That play caught them off guard.
“I’m really proud of him tonight. He really stepped up and proved himself. I’m happy playing wherever.”
And O’Toole will understand if he finds himself on the sideline again sometime soon.
“My job is to be ready when called upon,” O’Toole said. “He was on a roll last week, so we stuck with it. Going into games, Mack and I are both prepared to play.”
Player of the game: Reilly O’Toole, WWS, 12 of 22,
233 yards, 2 TDs; 7 carries, 48 yards, 2 TDs.
Key performers: Naperville North — Idris Hanidu,
14 carries, 126 yards.
WWS — Nicholas Immekus, 28-yard FG, 7 touchbacks.
