The size and talent on East St. Louis’ offense is undeniable. Its linemen, averaging well over 300 pounds, have allowed Courtney Molton to rush for more than 2,000 yards and Detchauz Wray to throw for more than 1,900.
Pitted against that offense Saturday, Wheaton Warrenville South’s undersized but quick defense was simply better.
Led by defensive ends Matthew Ives and Tyler Becker, the Tigers held the defending Class 7A champion Flyers to their lowest point total of the season in a dominating 34-15 win before an overflow crowd at Red Grange Field in Wheaton.
Becker, linebacker Michael Heaton and defensive back Zachary Ackerman all intercepted Wray in the second half as WW South (12-1) overcame an early 7-0 deficit to advance to its second 7A state championship game in three years. The Tigers will face Glenbard West at 4 p.m. next Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
‘‘We knew we had to clamp down and play Tiger football,’’ said Becker, who tipped the pass leading to Heaton’s interception. ‘‘We knew we could play with these guys. We had to play our gaps and have sound techniques ... which we did.’’
Molton (20 carries, 187 yards) rushed for 87 yards on the Flyers’ game-opening drive, scoring on a 15-yard run. But after that, WW South, for the most part, controlled the tempo and the line of scrimmage.
Nick Immekus kicked field goals of 29 and 34 yards to cut the Tigers’ deficit to 7-6. Junior quarterback Reilly O’Toole (198 yards passing) and Julian Banuelos each had two touchdown runs as the Tigers turned a six-point halftime advantage into a 34-7 rout minutes into the fourth quarter. Wray threw a late touchdown pass to Keante Minor to finish the scoring.
‘‘We were fortunate enough to get a ton of turnovers from our defense, and we tried our hardest to capitalize,’’ O’Toole said. ‘‘They were fantastic, one of the best defenses. They make big plays all over the field.’’
The Flyers (10-3) came in averaging just over 45 points a game but never seemed to find their groove after their first drive. Molton, playing with an injured ankle, had runs of 48 and 43 yards, but WW South raced him down both times.
Ives and Becker forced Wray from the pocket often. Becker made his interception when Ives drilled Wray while he was throwing. Junior defensive lineman William Davis also had a sack.
‘‘Defense you play with emotion ... and I think our kids do that well,’’ Tigers coach Ron Muhitch said. ‘‘Against bigger opponents, they still play the game with speed and quickness. That’s what we build our team on.’’
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