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Kelleher’s return leads Hinsdale Central
Updated: September 26, 2011 1:11PM
In order to contribute, it helps to get on the field.
That has been a problem for receiver Ryan Kelleher, who missed Hinsdale Central’s last game at No. 2 Glenbard West after suffering a concussion in the first quarter of a Week 3 loss to Proviso West. Before the concussion, Kelleher was recovering from a stress fracture to his collarbone, which kept him out for much of the offseason.
Kelleher returned in a big way Saturday in a 33-10 West Suburban Silver victory over visiting Lyons. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior set a school record with 17 catches, eclipsing Alex Kirk’s 12 receptions in a game against Wheaton Warrenville South in 2009. Kelleher finished with 157 receiving yards.
He was on the receiving end of another record-setting day for junior quarterback Brian Owens (30 of 38, 346 yards, touchdown), who set new school marks for completions and passes attempted.
John Whitelaw held the record for passes completed (22 in 2009) while Jason Stamer (1990) and Joe Bozich (2003) held the record for passes attempted with 30 each.
Owens appeared in his second full game as quarterback since taking over the position full-time from Danny Callahan (11 carries 25 yards), who scored two touchdowns on runs of eight and one yard in the fourth quarter in his season debut as a rusher.
“Every day at practice, me and [Owens] go together,” Kelleher said. “He knows I can get open and I know he can make great throws.”
Lyons (2-3, 1-2), which shared the conference title a year ago, lost for the third time in its last four games and has scored only 13 points in those defeats.
The Devils (3-2, 1-2) led 19-0 at halftime and nearly contained leading rusher Jaime Jones (four carries, 85 yards, touchdown), who scored on an 80-yard run with 4:08 remaining in the game. Jones rushed for 101 yards last week in a win over Downers Grove North.
“We didn’t do anything defensive and offensively, you name it,” Lyons coach Kurt Weinberg said. “We’re young in a lot of spots. I can’t put my finger on it.”
Lyons had 61 total yards of offense in the first half while Owens alone had 171 yards passing. The Devils also picked up six receptions from Brad Anlauf for 97 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.
Owens scored the game’s first score on a one-yard run with 8:14 to go in the second quarter and then followed that up with his touchdown pass to Anlauf.
Alex Georgelos also had field goals of 27 and 26 yards for Hinsdale, which travels next week to Hinsdale South for the 29th annual Doings Cup.
“Having [Kelleher helps],” Devils coach Rich Tarka said. “He knows the game plan is to get him the ball. If we can get him the ball, he can do his things.”
Lyons starting quarterback Connor Onion (6 of 11, 52 yards) ended the first half with an interception, which was returned 45 yards by Nick Sellinger. The return left three seconds on the clock, which allowed Georgelos to hit his second field.
Onion suffered an elbow injury and did not return in the second half. Backup Zachary Mahoney went 3 of 8 for 16 yards.
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