High School Football: Run ends for Stuursma, Chicago Christian

For Chicago Christian's do-everything senior Andy Stuursma, it wasn't the ending he anticipated Friday night in Palos Heights.

Bishop McNamara, with its storied football tradition, pushed Chicago Christian out of the state football playoffs, earning a 35-21, Class 4A victory.

"I'm mad," said Stuursma, who proved one final time that he is one the area's most exciting players.

"We showed that we could play with them. They're physical, but we had them worried. They made the big plays when they had to, especially scoring that touchdown at the end of the first half that put them ahead 14-7.

"I was on the varsity for three years and I'm proud of what we accomplished (27-5 record, including 8-2 this season). It's just that we had our chances tonight, but didn't make enough big plays."

First-year Knights coach Joe Hamstra knows how much he'll miss his two-way standout.

"He's one of the most unselfish players I've ever coached," Hamstra said. "We're going to really miss his leadership."

McNamara (6-4), which has qualified for the playoffs in 22 of the last 24 years, took the opening kickoff and drove 86 yards in 11 plays, reaching the end zone on Matt Lambert's 12-yard pass to Tyler Boerschig. The first of five extra-point kicks by Jeff Mussman made it 7-0.

After that initial setback, Chicago Christian settled down. In the second quarter, Stuursma took over. First, he made a diving pass interception at the McNamara 37. On the next play, he caught a 23-yard pass from quarterback Jason VanderLaan. However, the drive stalled and Stuursma's 32-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright.

Taking over again in McNamara territory, VanderLaan passed to Stuursma over the middle, the latter then dashing for a 41-yard score. Stuursma kicked the extra point for a 7-7 tie.

With momentum on its side, Christian's defense had McNamara in a third-and-6 hole at its 27, but couldn't seal the deal. Eight plays later Lambert (17-of-27, 219 yards) found Boerschig again, this time for a 9-yard score and 14-7 lead 32 seconds before halftime.

"That touchdown was big," Hamstra said.

McNamara's ground game took over in the second half. Touchdowns by Jonathon Young (72 yards) and Jameel High (18 yards) pushed McNamara ahead 28-7 before VanderLaan's 2-yard run with 7:50 left narrowed the Knights' deficit to 28-14.

A 15-yard pass from Lambert to Ray Buell made it 35-14, but Christian came right back, moving 65 yards in six plays with Stuursma running in from the 14 at the 3:28 mark.

Alan Macey can be reached at amacey@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8834.