Urwiler, Bulldogs overrun Tigers
Batavia has the full swagger and size you would expect from the defending Class 7A state champion. It was all on display Friday.
The Bulldogs bruised and plowed their way through the third quarter, using a relentless power running attack to beat No. 20 Wheaton-Warrenville South 41-20.
“We decided to be really physical,” running back/linebacker Quinn Urwiler said. “We ended up using the power run, and it seemed to work.”
Urwiler was the difference-maker, stepping up for starting running back Art Taylor, who was injured late in the first half.
“He’s a pretty special player,” Batavia coach Dennis Piron said. “He was a quiet little secret before, but he isn’t anymore.”
Urwiler scored four touchdowns and had 108 yards on 17 carries. He also had a key fumble recovery in the third quarter. His brother Trey had 15 carries for 70 yards.
Batavia quarterback Jack Meyers was 8-for-14 for 103 yards and a touchdown, but he only completed one pass in the second half.
The Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 DuKane) led 14-13 at the break. WheatonWarrenville South used a 63-yard fumble-return touchdown by Cedric Rowzee in the second quarter to change the momentum of the game.
“We can go power, but we can also throw,” Piron said. “This was a game that was getting a little weird. The only way we thought we could gain control of it was to run the football, so that’s what we did.”
Wheaton-Warrenville South quarterback Noah Henkel was 19for-35 for 229 yards and two touchdowns.
Henkel connected with six receivers. Tiwan Smith was his favorite target with six catches for 89 yards.
“They run a lot of different stuff; that’s a playoff team right there,” Batavia senior running back Michael Jansey Jr. said. “You would never know they were 2-7 last year. They’re a great quality team. We are all about the competition; this was a great game for us.”
Jansey, a linebacker who has committed to Northwestern, has become a bit of a surprise star on offense. He had a big 70-yard run and finished with 121 yards on eight carries.
“We all knew we had to take over the running-back spot when [Taylor] went down,” Jansey said. “It took all of us to help out. Everything worked out; they just couldn’t stop it.”
Wheaton-Warrenville South (4-1, 2-1) wasn’t able to get anything going on the ground. The Tigers had only 34 rushing yards.
“We’re scary to play against,” Piron said. “I know that. We are very high tempo and can speed things up and throw the ball or hit you with the power running attack.” 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.