This one lived up to the billing

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:08PM

Dondre Adams was running a sweep and was trapped.

But rather than taking the sure 5-yard loss, the Plainfield South senior running back reversed his field, hoping to find an open lane near the opposite sideline.

The Minooka defense would have none of it. The Indians had Adams pinned in, and now the loss would be around 15 yards.

Just before they were able to put him down, however, Adams made a heads-up play, throwing the ball away for an incomplete pass. The officials spotted no linemen downfield, and the incompletion stood.

That play was easy to overlook after a first half in which Adams rushed for 251 yards in 6 carries - only because defensive Alex Hamilton threw him for a 3-yard loss on his final attempt. But as with every time he touched the ball, we were reminded what a remarkable talent he is.

And yet, despite it all, Minooka rallied from an 18-0 deficit and led 27-26 at halftime in last Saturday's Class 7A second-round matchup, which the Indians (10-1) would hold on to win 41-38.

Their reward is a berth in Saturday's 6 p.m. quarterfinal against visiting Belleville East. Adams and South (9-2), meanwhile, turned in the gear after one outstanding season.

What a shame it was that either side had to lose that night. What a shame it was that Adams, who also plays safety, was unavailable for the second half after suffering a concussion late in the first half.

In a sense, the game was a microcosm of an injury-plagued season for Adams. As coach Mike Briscoe pointed out, "That kid is an athlete. It is just unfortunate he got hurt. That's the sixth game where he has been injured."

We have talked often about the best backs in the area, Josh Ferguson at Joliet Catholic and Kapri Bibbs at Plainfield North. Which one is better?

Taking nothing away from either, Adams, a multi-year winner in Football's Fastest Man competition, belongs in the team picture. His effort against Minooka left him with 1,026 rushing yards in 64 carries over parts of seven games. That's right, he finishes the season averaging 16.0 yards per carry, and he scored 12 touchdowns in those 64 attempts.

The Minooka defenders I talked with after Saturday's game - Hamilton (who finished with 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 2 tackles at the line of scrimmage and a huge pass knockdown on the final series), Zach Colvin and Drew Kooi - all cited the athleticism and speed South brings to the table, with Adams a shining example.

Of course, as Hamilton pointed out, "They didn't have him (Adams) the first time, either, and they beat us."

That was back in Week 5, when South prevailed 41-31 in a battle of then-unbeatens.

Following that game, Minooka has gone on an interesting roll. The Indians have not been blowing people away, but they have developed a knack for doing whatever it takes to win.

The 18-0 deficit against South did not phase them. Their defense obviously was not perfect, but when they needed the big stops, they got them.

Their offense was not clicking early the way it usually does. Kalvin Hill went 44 yards on his first carry to set up a field goal attempt, but Minooka totaled only three first downs on its first three possessions.

Once the offensive line came together, however, there was no stopping the Indians. Hill gained 194 yards with TDs of 44, 43 and 6 yards. Kyle Banks gained 152, fullback Taylor Salazar 63 and quarterback Mitch Brozovich 47. That's 456 yards on the ground.

And once halftime arrived, Minooka already had earned 20 first downs, 14 in the second quarter.

The game wound up being just what you would expect - close, with plenty of points from two very good offensive units.

It is a shame Adams, South linebackers Nick Pabon and John Collins and Minooka offensive lineman Mike Melone were among those sidelined large portions of the night injuries or illness. Yet, it turned into one of those games that will not soon be forgotten.

We got what we wanted.

Illini vs. Michigan

One more thought about teams that really can move the ball, and how Joliet area playoff football is involved.

We speak of Michigan's incredible 67-65 win Saturday over Illinois in three overtimes.

The offenses combined for 1,237 total yards, Michigan gaining 676 and Illinois 561. There were 58 first downs in all. Records fell.

And the guys starting all that offensive activity, all those fireworks, were offensive linemen at Lemont when coach Eric Michaelsen and his staff began transforming the Indians into a state power.

Graham Pocic is the regular center at Illinois and Dave Molk performs the same duties at Michigan. The stats naturally go to the skill-position players. But rest assured, Pocic, Molk and their linemates did the job and then some in Saturday's shootout.

In addition, Plainfield Central graduate Perry Dorrestein is the regular right tackle for Michigan but has been sidelined for a couple of weeks with an injury.

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