Lucas Proudfoot changed his game to fit the moment for Providence.
The senior quarterback learned to stop worrying and also fell in love with the bomb — a big, vertical play that can alter the makeup of any football game.
“Last year, I ran the ball a lot and I was not much of a thrower,” he said. “Now, that’s completely changed. I have been throwing the ball all over the field.”
Proudfoot’s daring, slingshot style was on full display Friday night during a dominant second quarter for the host Celtics against St. Laurence in New Lenox.
His two touchdown passes ignited Providence’s offense for a 49-20 CCL/ESCC Orange victory over the Vikings that clinched the Celtics’ first playoff berth since 2019.
“Whatever the coaches call or whatever they want me to run, I will do that,” Proudfoot said.
Thirteenth-seeded Providence (5-4, 3-1), a proud program with 10 state titles, will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Class 4A first round at fourth-seeded Wheaton Academy (8-1).
After a promising start, St. Laurence (3-6, 1-3) ended up losing its final four games. Danny Fitzpatrick provided an offensive highlight with a TD pass to Matthew Hyland.
“Even though we got down, we played as a team and we fought hard,” Fitzpatrick said. “The guys bleed black and gold, and I just love being around them every day.”
Proudfoot completed 5 of 11 passes for 134 yards and the two TD passes. His 64-yard scoring connection with senior receiver Jack Tess opened the floodgates.
“Tess said he wanted the post,” Proudfoot said. “And I trust him.”
Tess made his only catch of the game a significant one.
“I just had the confidence I could beat the guy across from me,” he said. “Obviously, I worked all season, multiple months during the offseason, to get to this moment.”
In the regular season, Providence faced four teams that played in a state championship game last year.
During a three-week stretch, the Celtics played defending state champions in Wheaton North, Fenwick and Joliet Catholic.
“We’ve seen everything,” Tess said. “The importance of the schedule we have played is astronomical.
“We are very confident right now. You play a schedule like ours and you are going to have confidence.”
Junior receiver Alex Gibson was the other top target for Proudfoot. Gibson reached the end zone on a 22-yard pass from Proudfoot for a 14-0 lead.
“When we get the opportunities, we have to go and make the plays,” said Gibson, who had three catches for 58 yards. “We run the ball, we get open and Lucas gets us the ball.
“We’re together for hours every day in practice, and that bond just comes naturally.”
Versatility has been the key, according to Gibson.
“I don’t have just one strength,” he said. “I just put it all out there and do what I can. If they give me the chance, I’m going to make the play.”
Providence had no ambiguity about what it was facing against St. Laurence.
Coming off competitive losses against Loyola and St. Rita, the Celtics knew what stood in front of them was clear and unmistakable.
“There is a sense of urgency in every game,” Gibson said. “The playoffs technically started for us (Friday). “You only get four years, and some people don’t even get that.
“You have to win or go home.”
Providence also is staring at the possibility of a very familiar opponent.
If both teams win playoff openers, the Celtics would face archrival Joliet Catholic in a second-round game.
Joliet Catholic beat Providence 49-41 on Sept. 16.
“We’re all happy to make the playoffs,” Proudfoot said. “But we’re not done yet.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
