Wheaton Academy gives Hawks the boot

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Sam Cote made certain the second time.

After missing a potential game-winning extra point in the fourth quarter, the Wheaton Academy kicker split the uprights to give the Warriors a stunning 20-19 overtime victory over No. 24 Hillcrest in a Class 5A first-round playoff game Friday night at the Park District Football Stadium in Country Club Hills.

"The first one I shanked it; maybe I let the pressure get to me," Cote said. "In overtime, I took my time and just concentrated."

The game marked the first state playoff appearance in Wheaton Academy’s history.

Cote’s heroics were set up by senior quarterback Brian Pell’s third touchdown, an 8-yard strike to Anthony Ritchie that wiped out Hillcrest’s 19-13 advantage.

"Ritchie and I have been playing for four years, and we have a great feel for the other person on the field," said Pell, who completed 22 of 36 passes for 182 yards.

Ritchie’s catches of 21, 12 and 8 yards set up Pell’s tying touchdown, a 9-yard strike to Brian Macdonald with 1:59 left in regulation. The Warriors (6-4) jumped out to a 7-0 first-quarter advantage on Pell’s 8-yard scoring pass to Luke Thorson.

Hillcrest running back Ryan Keen dashed 19 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter to tie the score at 7.

Quarterback Herb Offord threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Bailey for a 13-7 Hillcrest lead with 6:38 to play. Morgan Weaver’s 1-yard touchdown plunge gave the Hawks (8-2) their short-lived 19-13 overtime lead.