Sophomore defensive back Luke Leverett has had some near misses attempting to block kicks this season. And he has heard about it from Providence coach Tyler Plantz.
On Saturday afternoon, however, Leverett joined a block party that led to a postgame celebration for the Celtics.
“My coach has been on my butt for about three weeks about blocking them,” Leverett said. “I missed almost all the blocked kicks. When I needed it the most, I came through.
“I give credit to God. I give credit to coach Plantz.”
Leverett’s block of a field-goal attempt was returned 75 yards for a touchdown by sophomore Gavin Hagan in the third quarter, providing the key play as host Providence took down defending Class 4A state champion Joliet Catholic 24-14 in a second-round game.
BJ Olson blocked a punt to set up a TD and Jamari Tribett ran for 101 yards and a TD on 18 carries for 13th-seeded Providence (7-4), which will host top-seeded Richmond-Burton (11-0) in next week’s quarterfinals.
Justin Bonsu ran for 115 yards on 17 carries for the fifth-seeded Hilltoppers (8-3), who beat Providence 49-41 on Sept. 16. HJ Grigsby added a TD run and TJ Schlageter threw a TD pass to Kivlin Van Tassel.
“It was a revenge game for us,” Leverett said. “We had to get our get-back because we knew that wasn’t us. We knew we were a better team than that.”
Joliet Catholic trailed 10-7 late in the third quarter and was attempting a game-tying 31-yard field goal when Leverett came up with the block.
Hagan scooped up the loose ball and was off to the races.
“That was probably one of the best feelings in the world,” he said. “On this stage, in that moment, it’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.
“This is probably the most hyped up I’ve ever been for a game. Holy War, Round II. It’s one of the best games I’ve ever played in, and it’s the most fun I’ve ever had.”
Hagan and Leverett have both been starting at cornerback all season as sophomores.
“The first few weeks were rough,” Hagan said. “We were still getting experience. Ever since we played JCA, we’ve been locked in, and it showed (Saturday).”
Leverett has embraced the challenge.
“I’m just used to being the younger player,” Leverett said. “It doesn’t bother me. You just have to step up and make plays. Consistency is the biggest challenge. I have to keep making plays because my team is counting on me.
“I have to lock in and focus. I’ve made promises to my team that I’ll come through for them and I’m going to make sure I keep them.”
Joliet Catholic’s hopes for a championship repeat were done in by a few costly mistakes.
“Special teams was a point of emphasis we had,” Joliet Catholic coach Jake Jaworski said. “It’s one of Providence’s strong points, and unfortunately, we didn’t execute on some plays where they did.
“It flipped the momentum of the game. It was a tough day to have a bad day.”
Olson started the takeover on special teams when he blocked a punt, caught the ball and returned it to the Hilltopper 27-yard line.
That set up Jack Tess’ 27-yard TD run on the next play to give Providence a 10-7 lead with 6:39 left in the third quarter.
“In the moment, it was weird,” Olson said. “I thought I slapped it down and then I looked down and it’s in my arms. I’m like, ‘Oh, I’ve got the ball. Time to move.’ I tried to keep going to put us in the end zone.
“But the very next play, I’m getting a drink on the sideline, I saw (Tess) run it in. I’m like, ‘This is where it starts.'”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
