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Football: Bolingbrook battles from behind to top Naperville Central
Updated: November 19, 2011 6:03PM
Playing without injured linebacker Antonio Morrison, Bolingbrook was behind in the fourth quarter of its Class 8A semifinal game Saturday at Naperville Central when the Raiders’ other standout, quarterback Aaron Bailey, made his longest run when it counted most.
Bottled up for most of the game, the elusive junior raced 60 yards down the sideline with 8:08 to play to provide the winning points in the 22-19 victory that sends Bolingbrook to a state championship game for the first time since 1993.
“It’s truly a blessing,’’ Bailey said amid the Raiders’ fans on the field. “The hole was wide open and our guys made great blocks. The defense got us good field position--the defense has been the story all year. I told my mom during the offseason we were going to state.’’
The 8A title game next Saturday will match Bolingbrook (12-1) against Loyola (13-0), a 28-13 winner over Glenbard North.
Florida recruit Morrison watched Saturday’s game on crutches from the sideline, his left foot in a boot. Morrison said he suffered a fractured bone in the quarterfinal win over Downers Grove South, but he wouldn’t rule out playing in the championship game.
“We won this game for him and we’re going to win state for him,’’ Bailey said.
“Give Bolingbrook credit,’’ Naperville Central coach Mike Stine said. “They went out and won the game.’’
Bailey had 10 touchdown runs in the first three playoff victories and had 22 carries for 92 yards before his only touchdown against Naperville Central (9-4).
“They have a great defense,’’ said Bailey, who finished with 202 yards on 32 carries. “You could tell they watched a lot of film. But we went out there to play our game and not worry about anything else.’’
Bolingbrook’s defense limited running back Matt Randolph, the Du Page Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Year, to 36 yards on 15 carries.
“They shut our run down for most of the game,’’ Stine said. “They’re very physical, they’re very quick. They’re hard to block. They don’t stay blocked very long.’’
“We knew we had to have a great effort to get in front of No. 20 (Randolph) and No. 7 (quarterback Ian Lewandowski),’’ said Bolingbrook linebacker Austin VanMeter. “We just knew we had to fly around.’’
Emotions ran high at times with both teams being assessed unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.
Naperville Central led 7-0 in the first quarter on a 9-yard run by Lewandowski before Bolingbrook’s Jaden Huff capped an 11-play drive with a 1-yard dive for a 7-7 tie with 4:42 left in the first half.
Bailey connected with Chandler Piekarski on a 15-yard scoring pass to put Bolingbrook ahead 14-7 in the third quarter.
Naperville Central responded on its next possession with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Lewandowski to Randolph down the middle of the field. Lewandowski’s 13-yard quarterback draw gave the Redhawks a 19-14 lead with 9:58 to play in the game.
“I couldn’t be prouder of my team,’’ Stine said. “In the three previous years, the seniors had won only 10 games. To come out and win nine games in their senior year, that’s a testament to their hard work.’’
The first words from 10-year Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow to his team afterward were: “First of all, we did it. I told a select few people before the season, this was my best team ever. There’s no doubt about it.’’
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