Force versus force
Springfield scored 94 points in the first round. Lemont takes pride in its defense. Brannigan: ‘I’m not really worried about it at all.’
Senior linebacker Cole Brannigan and his Lemont teammates were wondering what in the world was going on.
After undefeated Lemont polished off Kennedy 45-0 in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, Brannigan went over to defensive tackle Tyler Wilms’ house Friday night to celebrate.
Lemont’s second-round opponent had not been determined yet, but the players had their phones out for the Springfield-Rock Island game.
“We kept track of the score,” Brannigan said. “And every time we checked the livestream, there was a new touchdown and a new score. We were all surprised at how high the score was.”
When it was over, Springfield set a slew of playoff scoring records in earning an eye-popping 94-72 victory.
While some of his players were at Wilms’ house, Lemont coach Brett Kooi and his staff listened to the game on an internet feed in his office.
“Our game ended and their game was still at halftime and we heard the entire second half.” Kooi said. “It was crazy. When it started getting into those high numbers, it was just unbelievable.”
According to Quad City Times reporter Drake Lansman, Springfield (7-3) racked up 724 yards, including 481 rushing. Senior quarterback Rashad Rochelle, a Rutgers recruit, passed for 253 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for 146 yards and six TDs.
Those are big numbers, and the higher the score became, the more Lemont’s defensive players got excited. Top-seeded Lemont (10-0) travels to ninth-seeded Springfield at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the second round.
“We most definitely have something to prove here because our defense is special and it’s one of a kind,” Brannigan said. “We’ve been really good at stopping the run all year and our defensive backs are really good at pass coverage.
“I’m not really worried about it at all.”
Lemont’s defense has three shutouts this season, allowing only 8.5 points per game. The most points allowed came in blowouts — a 61-22 win over Bremen and a 56-21 victory over Oak Forest. Nazareth was held to a season-low 10 points in Week 2 and has aver
aged 32 points since.
Two years ago in a 6A playoff opener, Lemont routed Springfield 52-14 thanks in part to a 29-0 advantage in the third quarter. Rochelle had a TD pass and a TD run.
“We’re familiar with them,” Kooi said. “When their quarterback was a sophomore, he was special then. We as a staff said we hoped we wouldn’t see him again.
“Now he’s a senior, and sure enough, here we go. We’re seeing him again.”
Brannigan said he played in some of that game as a sophomore in 2019.
“Rashad Rochelle is a really good, mobile quarterback,” Brannigan said. “He’s going to be one of our biggest challenges, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.”
The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Brannigan is a three-sport athlete who also wrestles and plays baseball. He said football is his main sport. He started playing at age 7.
Brannigan said he’s hoping to get some college attention after the playoffs but has not heard much.
One thing, however, that makes Lemont’s defense special, according to Brannigan, is its ability to shake off adversity.
“All the guys play with all heart and all passion all game,” he said. “We don’t give up after one big run or one big play. We gave up a big play against Oak Forest the last regular-season game but then played flawless after that and the starters didn’t give up another touchdown.
“We’re relentless as a defense. We fly around fast. We get to the ball.”