Towns, Bryant lead Thornton to win

Updated: September 24, 2011 7:19PM

The statistical indicators strongly suggested a Stagg upset playing at Thornton Saturday afternoon. The Chargers ran 74 plays from scrimmage compared to the Wildcats’ 31.

Thanks to Jason Towns and Dominic Bryant, quality trumped quantity as the host Wildcats utilized big running plays by junior quarterback Towns and a key defensive stop by senior outside linebacker Bryant in posting the 35-14 victory in Harvey.

“They controlled the game offensively by possessing the ball,” Thornton coach Bill Mosel said. “The difference was we had the explosive players.”

Towns (seven carries, 128 yards) scored on a 46-yard touchdown run and added another one-yard score set up by his 59-yard scamper in orchestrating the Wildcats offense. Taking advantage of superb field position, Thornton (4-1, 3-0 Southwest Suburban Red) scored on its opening two possessions.

Jason Towns’ twin brother Jamal (11 carries, 22 yards) scored on a 14-yard sprint around the right end for the quick 7-0 Thornton lead. After his 41-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Banks was nullified by an illegal formation, Jason Towns broke free for the 46-yard touchdown that pushed the margin to 14-0.

“The defense did a great job at the start of the game shutting them down and giving us field position, and we wanted to help the defense the same way they helped us by scoring quickly and getting the lead,” Jason Towns said.

Stagg junior quarterback Steven Kubiak answered by directing a 14-play, 68-yard drive. Set up by his passes of 15 yards to Paul Schall and 13 yards to Will Maske, Kubiak capped the drive with a three-yard keeper to pull the Chargers (0-5, 0-3) within 14-6.

Bryant, who had three sacks, made the defensive play of the game in the closing minute of the first half. On third and goal from the Wildcats’ 3-yard line, Bryant sacked Kubiak for an eight-yard loss. Kubiak’s fourth down attempt was also incomplete, preserving the Thornton lead.

“I was just doing what my coaches tell me to do,” Bryant said. “I knew he was rolling out to my side and I just had to step up and make the play.” Behind Bryant’s three sacks, Thornton had seven tackles for loss.

Jamal Towns scored on a four-yard dive in the third quarter that extended the lead to 20-6 after junior Taje Frazier returned a Kubiak interception to the Chargers’ 16-yard line. Jason Towns aided his brother’s score with an 11-yard scamper.

Jason Towns put the game away with a 59-yard burst late in the third quarter. He added 34 yards passing by connecting on 6 of 8 attempts.

“After we had the first two scores, Stagg tried to slow down our offense and take us our rhythm,” Jason Towns said. “Coach talked to us at halftime and got us pumped back up and that got us going again.”

Kubiak added a five-yard touchdown run for the Chargers. Thornton sophomore reserve D’Anthony Cross closed out the scoring with a 46-yard run in the closing minutes.

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