It was an awkward situation for Evanston coach John Riehle and his undefeated Wildkits at halftime.
After Siaka Massaquoi gave the hosts the early lead on a 1-yard run set up by Ricky Haywood’s 85-yard punt return, Libertyville (8-3) took a 10-6 lead on a TD run by Chris Pfiffner and a 25-yard Alex Mendrygal field goal.
The deficit marked the first time this season they had ever been down at intermission. Evanston was on the verge of elimination and ruining its perfect season, and the fans were getting restless.
“I was a little disappointed in the fans,” Riehle said. “A couple were booing. It was the first time we had been down all season. But hey, they got their $3 worth.”
The second-ranked Wildkits erupted for 26 unanswered points to beat Libertyville 32-10 in a Class 6A state playoff matchup in Evanston Saturday afternoon. The Wildkits advanced to a quarterfinal date at Andrew.
Massaquoi (31 carries, 233 yards) poured it on, scoring three more times in the second half. His 66-yard sprint put the Wildkits up 13-10 early in the second half.
“(The players) were absolutely calm,” Riehle said of his team following the first half. “Libertyville (8-3) outplayed us in the first half, but we didn’t panic.”
Massaquoi started the second-half rally with a 66-yard sprint up the left side to give Evanston a 13-10 lead. His last two touchdown runs followed interceptions by linebackers Sean Hopson and Alex Thomas, matching his season high for TDs in a game. He had four TDs in Evanston’s 47-0 win over Niles North Oct. 13.
Class 5A
Richards 14, Minooka 7: Jason Littleton’s 4-yard run with five minutes remaining was the difference for the Bulldogs (10-1) in their second-round victory. Shaun Broen opened the scoring for Richards with a 68-yard run, but the conversion failed. Minooka (9-2) took a 7-6 lead on D.J. Spray’s 21-yard pass to Ryan Koerner and Adam Zook extra-point.
Richards will play host to Woodstock in a quarterfinal contest.
Class 4A
Providence 45, Marmion 12: Justin Ruggio (28 carries, 226 yards) set the tone early for No. 6 Providence (10-1) with a 1-yard touchdown plunge set up by his 56-yard run three plays before. Providence advances to a quarterfinal date at top-seeded Geneseo Darnell.
On the Celtics’ second drive, Adam O’Reel hit Brandon Johnson on a 21-yard touchdown pass. David Popp added a 21-yard touchdown reception, his second score of the game, on Providence’s first possession of the second half.
“The offensive line was incredible, they played big,” Ruggio said. “When we need to do the job, we do it together because I can’t get it done myself. They help out a lot.”
Class 3A
Kaneland 26, Byron 21: Eric Delaney threw touchdown passes of 16, 39 and 67 yards to lead the Knights (11-0) past Byron (7-4). Delaney also added a 15-yard touchdown run, while Kyle Schrader (12 carries, 122 yards) scored on runs from 10 and 46 yards out. Kaneland, which scored 14 points in each quarter, advances to the quarterfinals and will host Marian Central Catholic.
Marian Central Catholic 33, Wilmington 7: Marian (8-3) was held to only 65 total yards in the first half, but the Hurricanes exploded in the second, breaking a 7-7 halftime tie with 26 unanswered points for the victory. Ben Hartman (23 rushes, 188 yards) scored on runs of 30 and 40 yards in the third quarter and then added a 10-yard scoring dash early in the fourth.
“The second half we started going more up the middle,” Hartman said. “My offensive linemen created a lot of holes for me and let me cut back to the side, so I could take advantage of the slippery field.”
Wilmington (10-1) opened the scoring on a 24-yard pass from T.J. Hansen to Matt Van Duyne midway through the first quarter. But that was answered when Josh Nobilio scored his first of two touchdowns on a 10-yard pass reception from quarterback Tim Wolfmeyer.
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Class 2A
Aledo 30, Chicago Christian 8: Colin Conway rushed for a pair of touchdowns, threw for two more and picked off two Knight passes to lead Aledo (11-0) past Chicago Christian (9-2) in the second round. Doug Stoub threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jesse Oostema to account for Chicago Christian’s (9-2) only score.
Public League Playoffs
Lane Tech 25, Collins 14: Lane Tech (7-4) scored 15 points off of Collins turnovers and held on for the second-round victory. Randy Williams, Gabriel Jimenez and Jason Blue (24 carries, 122 yards) each scored rushing touchdowns for the Indians. Jimenez added a key fourth-quarter field goal from 21 yards. Raheem Lamb rushed for 186 yards for Collins (7-4), but found the end zone only once on a 59-yard dash in the third quarter. Alvernique Murphy provided Collins’ other score with his 1-yard run
Catholic Metro Playoffs
Fenwick 26, St.Rita 21: Sean Toolan threw three TD passes and kicked field goals of 24 and 28 yards as the Friars (7-4) prevailed in the second round. Marty Sloan was on the receiving end on two of Toolan’s touchdown strikes.
“This week we worked on not making mistakes and turnovers,” Fenwick coach Paul Conner said. “We needed to play a complete game today against St. Rita, which we were able to do.”
Mike Henry led St. Rita (6-5) with a pair of touchdown runs.