Home, sweet home(coming) for Blatcher, Bloom Township

After his team suffered a 20-0 shutout at the hands of Crete-Monee at Sarff Field last weekend, Bloom Township coach Tony Palombi was curious about how quarterback DeAngelo Blatcher would respond Friday against Thornridge.

Blatcher came through with flying colors through the air and on the ground as Bloom Township won 34-22 in its SICA East opener in its Homecoming game. Blatcher finished 9-for-13 for 174 yards and three touchdown strikes to go with five carries for 48 yards and a rushing touchdown.

"He really lived up to expectations," Palombi said. "He really bounced back after struggling last week.

"He's doing really well."

Byron Goodrich (75-yard TD kickoff return), Myrthel Stewart and Jarvis Jennings caught a touchdown pass each for the Blazing Trojans (3-2, 1-0 SICA East).

Linebacker Nick O'Nions led the defense with 7 1 / 2 tackles.

Tim O'Brien, correspondent