Metering is ON

Defense lifts Plainfield South over Romeoville

Story Image Plainfield South's #5 Dantrell Wright is stopped by Romeoville's #77 Brad Smidt held at home on Friday, September 16, 2011. | Larry Kane~For Sun-Times Media
Story Image

Updated: September 17, 2011 12:10AM



The Plainfield South defense set the tone Friday night, giving Dantrell Wright and the Cougars’ offense the time needed to get untracked.

Wright scored on a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown and threw a TD pass as South stepped out to a 28-0 halftime lead en route to a 34-14 Southwest Prairie victory over Romeoville.

“We did not play well,” Spartans coach Jeff Kuna said. “They were the better team on offense, defense and special teams.”

The defense was so good for the Cougars (3-1, 2-0) that touted tailback Perez Ford, after ripping off a 28-yard gain on his first carry, was limited to 28 yards in 15 attempts the rest of the way.

The quarterback tandem for Romeoville (1-3, 0-2), James Rooks and Jacob Bambule, combined to complete 13-of-43 passes for only 90 yards with two interceptions. Both threw touchdown passes to Duvuan Goodlow in the fourth quarter to make the final score more respectable.

“Man, the first half seems like it happened about a week ago,” South coach Ken Bublitz said after the lengthy battle finally finished. “But early on, we made plays.

“Romeoville dominated us the first two series, and fortunately our defense played as well as it did. They’ve gotten better each week, and they were the key to allowing us to get something going offensively.

“I’ll tell you what, Perez Ford is one of the best backs around. He is a handful, and we did a good job on him.”

The regulars in the South defense were linemen Angelo Cervantes, Anthony Scalzitti and Matt Vidican; linebackers Jacob Meeder, Clifton Garrett, Sean McGrail and Jashawn Franklin; cornerbacks Brandon Davis, Darius Jefferson and Joey Ruske, and safety Steven Harris. Meeder and Harris were involved in eight tackles each, and Meeder and Davis intercepted passes.

Wright (73 yards rushing, five catches for 67) scored on a 14-yard run, on a 10-yard screen pass from Austin Howarth (14-of-23, 172 yards) and hit Ricky Luna with an 11-yard strike on a double pass on a fourth-and-1. Howarth also found Luna from 38 yards out before halftime, and reserve back Kwanez Gibson raced 34 yards for a score.

All of which leaves South tied with Minooka atop the SPC standings; the two will meet at Minooka next Friday.

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