Football: Bolingbrook has familiar foe in Downers South

Bolingbrook opened its season against Downers Grove South every year from 2007 to ’10. Now the Raiders would like to end the Mustangs’ year.

“We’re actually up a game in the series, 3-2,” Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow said with a smile, recalling last year’s victory after a 2009 playoff loss to Downers South.

The 10-1 teams will meet at 6 p.m. Saturday at Bolingbrook, with a spot in the Class 8A semifinals going to the winner.

“We’ve played them for the past five years,” said Bolingbrook guard Robert Bain, a three-year starter on the offensive line. “It’s always been a tough game.”

Bolingbrook pulled out a 28-21 win in 2010 on a fourth-quarter touchdown set up by quarterback Aaron Bailey, who was starting as a sophomore. Downers South was ranked at the time and Bolingbrook wasn’t, leading to a “Bolingbrook pulls upset” headline the next day.

It won’t be an upset if the Raiders win Saturday, but it will take a relatively error-free game to advance. Bolingbrook has been in the IHSA playoffs 20 years straight, Downers South 15 years in a row.

“They play solid football,” Ivlow said. “They’re a lot like a Lincoln-Way East. They’re well-coached, they’re in position, they’re going to line up correctly. They’re not going to make very many mistakes.”

Downers South has a big-play threat in running back Josh Williams, who has gained 2,200 yards this season.

“I’ve seen him for three years now,” Ivlow said. “He’s a good player. We expect him to do nothing but play his best game against us.

“He’s quick, he’s got excellent hands. He makes guys miss in the open field. Those are all characteristics of a good running back.”

But can Downers South control the best player on the field?

Bailey had four touchdowns and 304 rushing yards in Bolingbrook’s opening-round win over Neuqua Valley. The junior quarterback opened the second-round game against Mount Carmel with a 38-yard run to start a scoring drive and added a 34-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

“He’s a real special player,” Bain said of Bailey. “You can always count on him to come through. We’re just lucky to have him.”

Getting Bailey some running room is up to Bain and his offensive line mates: center John Kolder, guard Jacob Hawk and tackles Otha Thurmond and Scott Foltz.

Downers South defeated Naperville North 37-24 in the first round, then rolled 41-14 last week over Brother Rice, taking advantage of turnovers to help build a 27-0 halftime lead.

“They (Downers South) have a good kicker and their punter put them deep in the hole,” Ivlow said. “Their kickoff coverage team pinned them down pretty deep a couple times.”

A victory Saturday would put Bolingbrook in the semifinals against the winner of Friday’s game between Homewood-Flossmoor and host Naperville Central.

“You have to play everybody if you want to get where you want to go,” Ivlow said.

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