Wildcats power by Thornridge

No. 9 Thornton converted three turnovers into touchdowns and thumped Thornridge 51-0 Saturday afternoon in a SICA East clash in Dolton.

The Wildcats (6-0, 2-0) led 22-0 after Ian Roy returned a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown with 1:50 left in the first quarter.

"Jerrell Lofton helped me get the sack and I was able to force a fumble," Roy said. "I saw the ball, picked it up and tried to keep my feet. I never had a touchdown on defense before, so it felt excellent."

In the second quarter Michael Handy returned a fumble 23 yards for a touchdown and moments later Juan Frazier picked off a pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown that gave Thornton a 37-0 lead with 6:50 to play in the first half.

Darren Jones threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Quinton Richmond to open the scoring. Jones, who finished 10-12 for 118 yards, also had a six yard scoring run.

Dante Tolbert, who had 8 carries for 68 yards, had a three yard touchdown to give the Wildcats a 44-0 halftime lead. Khiry Dukes scored on a 10-yard touchdown scamper to round out the scoring. Thornridge (0-6, 0-2) had minus one yard at halftime and finished with 21 total yards.

"We have an excellent defense," said Roy, who recovered another fumble in the second quarter. "Everyone does their job and we don't let up at all. We're 6-0 and we have to keep it going."

Thornridge junior Derrick Wilbon, who is asthmatic, was hit in the chest on a play with 10:32 remaining in the game. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.