Planz gets Elmhurst going
Elmhurst is playing under its third coach in three years, and that can take some getting used to. But after winning a 49- 42 double- overtime thriller Saturday at Carthage, coach Ron Planz sees the progress.
“A lot of it in the beginning was our players saying, ‘ Here’s another guy saying the same things all the other coaches said about what it takes to be a team,’ ” said Planz, the successor to 2013 coach Joe Adam and 2012 coach Tim Lester, both now assistant coaches at Syracuse. “It took a little bit of time for them to realize there’s some sincerity in my approach to coaching.”
The Bluejays ( 3- 2, 2- 0) got off to a rough nonconference start, but have opened CCIW play with victories against Augustana and Carthage.
Elmhurst controlled most of the game against Carthage and led 35- 14 at halftime, but needed two OT scores to win. Carthage took a 4235 lead on Nick Anzelmo’s one- yard run, but Elmhurst’s Josh Williams came right back with a 25- yard TD run on his team’s first OT play.
In the second OT, the Bluejays gave Carthage the same look as the Williams run, but senior quarterback Joe Camiliere found junior receiver Garrett Claxon with a 23- yard pass off play action. A one- yard run by Williams and a Camiliere sneak gave Elmhurst its winning touchdown.
Williams, a junior, ran for 249 yards and three touchdowns on 41 carries, and was named CCIW offensive player of the week. His 820 yards this season rank fifth in NCAA Division III.
“He is one of the most humble, hardworking players I’ve ever been around,” said Planz, a Bensenville native who for the previous five years was an assistant at a successful Division II program at Minnesota State at Mankato. “As a runner, he’s kind of the complete package. He has really good vision. He’s patient with his runs, and he’s very strong.”
With a home game Saturday against North Park, Elmhurst will try to continue its surge. Planz also will continue to strive to help his team enjoy football.
“We are always positive,” he said. “We do not demean kids, we do not yell at kids. We coach ’ em hard, but everything’s positive. We only practice for an hour and a half a day, but we practice at a very, very fast pace.
“There are enough distractions that pull you all different ways, and football’s got to be fun. Especially at this level. You’re playing for the love of the game, you’re not on scholarship.”
Still perfect
Wheaton ( 5- 0, 2- 0 CCIW), ranked No. 19 at D3Football.com, remained unbeaten with a 20- 13 victory at Augustana. The Thunder are on the road again Saturday at Millikin. Chicago ( 5- 0) also is spotless after winning 14- 7 at Trinity of Texas. The Maroons travel to Minnesota on Saturday to play Bethany.
In the NAIA, No. 8 Robert Morris ( 6- 0, 2- 0 MSFA Mideast) edged No. 18 St. Francis of Joliet ( 4- 1, 1- 1) 12- 7 in Arlington Heights. Next up is Taylor ( 3- 3, 1- 0) in Upland, Ind.