Plainfield Central takes down Plainfield East

Updated: October 8, 2011 7:06PM

Big plays by quarterback Tim Blake and nose tackle/punter Bryce Douglas in the first half combined with a 17-play drive in the fourth quarter to bring Plainfield Central one win away from clinching a spot in the playoffs after a two-year absence.

Plainfield Central came through in several key situations Saturday to earn a 33-21 Southwest Prairie Conference victory over Plainfield East.

“This was a big one for us,’’ Blake said. “Now we need one more for sure to get in.’’

After Plainfield East closed to 26-21 on a 20-yard pass from Robert Zamora to Myles Walters early in the fourth quarter, it was time for Plainfield Central (5-2, 3-2) to respond.

“They really rallied,’’ Central coach John Jackson said of his offensive line. “We challenged them at halftime. We just had to get off the ball. They did an outstanding job.’’

Guards Ben DeLange and John Love, tackles Tyler Lawson and Joe Fisher and center Kyle Mitchell moved the Wildcats 80 yards after East’s touchdown, using nearly eight minutes before Blake’s 1-yard dive with 2 minutes 51 seconds to play.

“The offensive line really stepped up,’’ Blake said. “They brought us all the way down.’’

“They were more physical than us today,’’ Plainfield East coach Mike Romeli said. “They were able to pound us on the ground a little bit.’’

Tyler Erdman gained 31 yards on five carries during the crucial drive and finished with 100 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.

“I told him (Erdman) at halftime, you’re the horse we’re going to have to ride,’’ Jackson said. “I knew he was capable of doing it for us.’’

Zamora was the main weapon for East (2-5, 2-3), completing 18-of-29 for 232 yards and three touchdowns.

Erdman’s 1-yard dive made it 7-0 in the first quarter after two key runs by Blake. East went ahead 14-7 in the second quarter before Blake’s 17-yard scramble set up Gino Giarratano’s 11-yard scoring run.

Giarratano caught an 8-yard touchdown pass to put Central on top 20-14 late in the first half after a sack and punt by Douglas on back-to-back possessions kept the Bengals pinned in their end.

A 19-yard run by Erdman set up his 2-yard plunge and a 26-14 lead in the third quarter.

“We haven’t had much success in the past couple years,’’ Erdman said. “Now we have a shot at it.’’

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