Bolingbrook pulls upset on Downers South

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:26PM

Bolingbrook entered 2010 in a rare position, one of the rare times when it wasn't ranked among the area's top teams.

But on Friday, the Raiders showed that they certainly belong in the rankings after they captured a 28-21 victory over No. 19 Downers South.

Leading the way for Bolingbrook was sophomore quarterback Aaron Bailey, who rushed 191 yards on 18 carries, which featured an 81-yard score. He also was 5 of 10 passing for 62 and a touchdown.

His long touchdown run in the third quarter gave the Raiders a 21-7 lead just 26 seconds into the second half.

"We executed real good and overall we did an excellent job," Bailey said. "I knew that this was going to be a shootout from the beginning. A lot of people doubted us so we wanted to show people that we can win week-in and week-out."

But Downers South (0-1) responded immediately with a 91-yard kick return from Ryan Oruche, who later in the third quarter tied things up with a one-yard run.

But Bailey added one more run at a critical point when he burst 42 yards on the final of the third quarter.

That came right after the Mustangs missed taking the lead when Mike Ficaro missed a 30-yard field goal.

Bailey's long run at the end of the third quarter gave Bolingbrook the ball at Downers South's 38-yard line.

Seven plays later, Malik Snapp scored on a cut-back run from 12 yards out with 7:50 remaining.

The Raiders scored on their possession when Lamar Hooper capped an 80-yard drive on a three-yard run with 1:34 left in the first quarter.

Downers South tied things at 7 the next time it got the ball after Josh Williams (22 rushes for 80 yards, one catch for 44 yards) scored on a three-yard run.

A 22-yard fumble return by Philip Wilson gave the Raiders the ball at Downers South's 46, setting up a score shortly before the break.

Bailey hit Daniel Fisher on a 26-yard scoring strike with 1:26 left in the half to give Bolingbrook a 14-7 lead.

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