Parker-to-Fomby fuels Panthers
Oswego quarterback Noah Parker and receiver Jamal Fomby Jr. used a little bit of tenacity and a lot of chemistry to bust open a close game Saturday in Joliet.
The two connected for three touchdown passes in the second half to lead the No. 5 Panthers to a 49-14 victory against Joliet West.
Parker found Fomby for touchdown passes of 61, 64 and 52 yards. Each play was an adventure. It usually began with Parker scrambling and somehow finding a way to fling the ball downfield to his best friend.
‘‘That’s the best game I’ve ever played in my life,’’ Fomby said. ‘‘It starts with [Parker] getting out of the pocket, moving around and getting the ball to me and the line giving him enough time.’’
Fomby had six receptions for 200 yards. Parker was 13-for-16 for 324 yards and five touchdowns.
‘‘[Parker] has been my best friend since third grade, and we’ve played together since then,’’ Fomby said. ‘‘If I see him rolling out, I get open for him. I don’t want him to get hit too bad.’’
Parker said that extra tenacity comes from regular scuffles with his brother.
‘‘I can take it,’’ Parker said. ‘‘My brother and I fought a lot. That helps with shedding tackles, maybe.’’
Charles Coleman, a talented running back with soft hands, is the star attraction for the Panthers (4-0, 4-0 Southwest Prairie). He had 15 carries for 66 yards and three catches for 26 yards.
‘‘We have a better aerial attack because of Charles,’’ Parker said. ‘‘The defense is always worried about such a big back that they have to stop.’’
Fomby and Parker have developed into game-breaking threats, too.
‘‘Jamal is a phenomenal wide receiver,’’ Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. ‘‘He made some plays today that we typically don’t see around Oswego. He’s fun to watch.
‘‘He played some as a sophomore, then he was a standout as a junior. There was a complete spike last year in what his capability was, and he’s climbing through the ceiling on that.’’
Joliet West (0-4, 0-4) scored right before halftime on a 27-yard pass from Alfonso Sanchez to DJ Dobbs. That cut Oswego’s lead to 19-14 at the break.
‘‘We just came out and underestimated them,’’ Fomby said. ‘‘They hit us in the mouth and kept it closer than any game we’ve been in.’’
The Tigers didn’t score again. Sanchez was 7-for-14 for 106 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and receiver Kevon Dorris caught three passes for 44 yards.
‘‘We were up five [at half], and there are a lot of teams in the state that would be satisfied with that,’’ Cooney said. ‘‘I like the fact that our guys came out with a chip on their shoulder and understood the first half wasn’t good enough.’’ Want the latest information and analysis on high school football? Our team of Michael O’Brien, Beth Long and Annie Costabile will share the latest news, insights and weekly Super 25 rankings in a livestream show called ‘‘Sun-Times Game Week’’ at 4:30 p.m. every Monday. Like and follow our high school sports Facebook page and watch the show on Facebook Live. You also can ask questions using #suntimesgameweek.