For openers, it doesn’t get much better.
Senior defensive back David Boatwright intercepted a two-point conversion attempt with 34.5 seconds to play to preserve a 21-20 victory for host Bolingbrook over No. 8 Downers Grove South Friday night.
"Coach [Todd] Howard told us to watch the fade and I just did my job when my guy broke late," Boatwright said. "This feels so good. It’s a dream.
"We made mistakes but this was a huge game. It was the one we’ve worked for all summer."
Howard, who played at Michigan and later with the Rams, Dolphins and in the Arena League, is in his third year as an assistant and coaches the defensive backs.
"I’m proud," Howard said. "But right now I need an Advil."
The Raiders led 21-14 at halftime, but were put to the test in the fourth quarter.
First, the Mustangs drove to the 12, but a holding call and two sacks, the second by Jeremy Curry forced a punt on fourth-and-49.
Downers got the ball back at its 21 and junior quarterback Chandler Witmer and running back Scottie Williams combined to drive the Mustangs, who had used their timeout, down the field. On a fourth-and-1 at the Raiders’ 17, Williams scooted up the middle to close the deficit to 21-20.
After a Bolingbrook timeout, Boatwright made his pick.
Second-half heroes for Bolingbrook included defensive lineman Roosevelt Holliday and junior linebacker Marcus Lee, who was everywhere and finished with 11 tackles.
On its first possession, Jamel Martin scored for the Raiders on a 1-yard plunge after breaking loose for 52 yards earlier in the 79-yard scoring drive.
If Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow had questions about an inexperienced offensive line, he received a resounding answer from the front five of Curt Bowers (6-3, 215), Cedrick Atkins (5-11, 275), Nick Cronk (5-11, 225), Robert Fife (5-11, 230) and Jeff Lindsey (6-2, 287).
The Raiders went up 14-0 nearly in the second quarter on a 6-yard pass from junior lefty Brad Geever to Anthony Greene.
Downers South got on the board with 9:29 to play in the half on a 12-yard run by Williams that cut the deficit to 14-7.
It took Bolingbrook just 19 second to answer as Geever threw a 65-yard scoing pass to Orlando Thomas, who broke at least three tackles on his way to a score.
A 14-play drive by the Mustangs was capped by a 17-yard scoring pass from Witmer to Williams on a fourth down and 4. Witmer faked a handoff to Williams, who floated to the right and caught the ball without a defender being close.
Close
Community Login
You've successfully logged in to the Sun-Times Media Community, click the close button to return to browsing.
Facebook App
Font Size
Email
Bookmark
Black Text
Cell Phone Alerts