Football: Prairie Ridge runs to Class 6A title

Updated: November 26, 2011 9:47PM

CHAMPAIGN--Jordan Getzelman made Peoria Richwoods pay. Over and over again.

Utilizing the Wolves’ sprint option to gash the Knights’ perimeter, Getzelman scored two touchdowns and amassed 175 yards on 26 carries in powering Prairie Ridge’s 35-14 Class 6A state title victory Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

The junior running back burned the Knights’ defensive strategy to deny the middle of the field.

His most important run occurred with 1:33 to play in the third quarter and the Wolves (13-1) holding a 21-14 lead. Two plays after Prairie Ridge quarterback Nick Nissen converted a two-yard run on fourth and two, Getzelman took a pitch from Nissen and burst 35 yards down the left sideline for his second touchdown. It restored the Wolves’ two touchdown advantage after Richwoods’ Kendrick Foster scored on a one-yard plunge on the previous possession.

“They were compacting a lot of the middle, trying to shut down Connor [Greenwald], and Nick did a great job of making the read and knowing when to pitch, to help me get to the corner,” Getzelman said.

Nissen completed just one pass for 13 yards and threw an interception. It hardly mattered as the Wolves rushed for 357 yards, averaging nearly six yards a carry. Greenwald added 52 yards on 12 carries. His one-yard touchdown dive forged a 7-7 tie at the break.

After losing in the state semifinals the previous two years, the Wolves’ title run felt closer to a coronation.

The title game score gave the Wolves a 588-137 scoring differential on the year. Their only loss was a 22-21 overtime defeat against Cary-Grove in the final regular season game.

Getzelman’s two touchdowns derived off perfectly-executed options from Nissen on the left side. Getzelman’s 13-yard touchdown run on the opening possession of the second half put the Wolves up 14-7. He carried the ball five times for 43 yards on the drive.

On the ensuing possession, defensive end Erik Odden scored on a 15-yard fumble recovery after linebacker Brad Simms jarred the ball loose. “I saw Brad reach in there and strip the ball, and I just picked it up and ran,” he said.

Riding a 10-game winning streak after starting the year 0-3, Richwoods (10-4) struck back with a four-play, 80-yard drive in 43 seconds. Clayton Glasper’s 59-yard reception set up Foster’s one-yard plunge

The third quarter score was set up Nissan’s gritty two-yard carry.

“A lot of option teams, sometimes the mistake they make is they get away from the option,” Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp said. “We wanted to continue to pound them, especially the middle of the field and Nick made a great read there to keep the ball and make those tough yards.”

The play broke the Knights’ spirits.

“That was a very deflating play,” Richwoods’ linebacker Ben Couri said. “It was especially frustrating seeing the clock wind down and knowing they had a very good defense.”

Prairie Ridge registered three turnovers in the second half that turned the tide. Steve Bashor punctuated the victory with a 27-yard touchdown run in the closing moments. “We’ve felt all year like this was a mission,” Schremp said. “Last year the Monday after that [14-7 loss to Rockford Boylan] the kids were in the weight room getting ready for this year.

“It was very gratifying to get here and win a state championship,” he said.

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