Panthers pour it on vs. Spartans

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OSWEGO -- This was not how first-year Romeoville coach Jeff Kuna wanted the season to conclude.

After winning their first two games, the Spartans lost seven straight, including a 37-6 decision to Oswego in Southwest Prairie Conference play Friday.

As for the Panthers, they bolstered their playoff position by improving to 7-2 overall and 6-1 in the SPC. And they did so in soggy conditions.

"Obviously this was a game played in some tough conditions," Oswego coach Dave Keely said. "But I thought we did exactly what we needed to do. We ran the ball hard and our defense was a force all night long."

Kuna is optimistic about what is ahead for the Spartans (2-7, 0-7).

"This is obviously not the way we wanted our year to end," Kuna said. "But our seniors worked hard all season. They help lay a solid foundation for our underclassmen.

"We'll get into the weight room and get after it right away. That begins early next week."

Oswego (7-2, 6-1) scored first on an 8-yard run by Sean Danielson. Romeoville narrowed the gap to 7-6 later in the opening quarter.

The Spartans recovered an Oswego fumble at the 17-yard line. Five plays later, quarterback Matthew Gillis threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Derik Pierce with 3:15 remaining in the first half.

But in the second quarter, the Oswego defense sacked Gillis four times. Romeoville, which finished with just 35 yards for the game, was limited to minus-35 yards in the first half.

Oswego senior running back Tim Riley had another big night. The 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound Riley, who has committed to Northwestern, scored on touchdown runs of 5 and 2 yards. He rushed for 121 of his game-high 136 yards in the opening half. Riley carried the ball 16 times.

The Panthers finished with 220 yards rushing, a 5.1 average. The Spartans rushed for 17 yards on 27 attempts.

Oswego finished with 353 yards compared to 35 for Romeoville.

"That Riley is a tough guy to bring down," Kuna said. "He reads his blockers very well and they do a nice job of setting him up.

"And the Oswego quarterback threw the ball well. They had it all going in this game."

Oswego quarterback Nick Welch threw for 101 yards in the second quarter. The Panthers also notched a safety when Romeoville snapped the ball over its punter's ahead out of the end zone.

"Our offensive line, in terrible conditions, did an outstanding job," Keely said "And it was nice to see Nick (Welch) have a nice night throwing the ball in such nightmare conditions.

"Healthwise, we've been banged up all year long. But we could get a couple of our linemen back next week and that could help."

Welch finished the night 6-of-10 passing for 133 yards and a pair of scores.