Crete-Monee has lost in the Class 6A quarterfinals two years in a row.
But the Warriors sent an early message to the field this year with a 63-14, opening-round victory against Bloomington.
Crete-Monee (10-0) outgained Bloomington (5-5) 421-137, with the Purple Raiders gaining 69 of their yards when the score was 63-7.
Crete-Monee had six sacks and three turnovers, including a tone-setting 25-yard touchdown that cornerback Tracy Whitehead ran back after forcing and recovering a fumble on the game’s third play.
“At the beginning of the game we were basically a run-stop defense,” said safety Anthony Standifer, a Michigan recruit. “The ball kept getting behind us, so we checked the regular and got everything in front of us.”
Warriors quarterback Marcus Terrell threw four touchdown passes — three to Laquon Treadwell (14, 53, 28 yards) and one to Breon Bailey.
“I was just getting open when I needed to and running my route to perfection,” said Treadwell, who had six catches for 119 yards. “It’s a five-game season, so we got one win today.”
Crete-Monee’s Kenneth Kidd ran for 182 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow backs Rykki Tate and Jansen Wiley also scored.
“I just had a hard week in practice,” Kidd said. “I knew going into the playoffs a lot of teams are going to key on the corners, so I had a big role if we were going to go to state. Hopefully, we will continue having good games these playoffs.”
Player of the game:
Laquon Treadwell, Crete-Monee, 6 catches, 119 yards, 3 TDs, 1.5 sacks.
Key performers:
Crete-Monee — Marcus Terrell, 13-for-15, 160 yards, 4 TDs; Kenneth Kidd, 25 carries, 182 yards, 2 TDs. Bloomington — Emerson Evans, 41-yard TD catch.
Next:
Crete-Monee vs. Normal Community/Peoria Richwoods.
