L- WEast has minus touch vs. Fotis
Observations, highlights and talking points from Week 2:
First down
Lincoln- Way East didn’t just beat previously top- ranked Maine South. It did what has seemed nearly impossible for the last three seasons: The Griffins shut down running back Fotis Kokosioulis.
The NIU recruit managed just four yards rushing, and the Hawks finished with minus- 17 yards on the ground.
Maine South quarterback John O’Sullivan had another big performance ( 370 passing yards, four touchdowns), but the star was Lincoln- Way East receiver A. J. Henning. The 5- 10 sophomore caught four passes for 120 yards, including touchdowns of 93 and 23 yards. Henning, who already has a scholarship offer from Illinois, could be a special player.
The Hawks’ tough nonconference schedule continues the next two weeks with a home game against Fremd and a road game at Palatine.
Second down
Senior quarterback Drake Davis, who transferred to Naperville North this summer, performed well in seven- on- seven camps, and there was plenty of buzz surrounding him in the preseason.
So far, he’s outperforming anyone’s expectations. His debut performance was one Naperville will remember for a long time. Trailing host Edwardsville 42- 0 late in the first half in Week 1, Davis spearheaded a 53- 49 comeback win. He finished 25- for- 43 for 391 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns.
Davis led the Huskies with another 50 points Friday. He threw six touchdown passes in a 56- 37 win against Metea Valley. Davis, who has an offer from Eastern Illinois, is part of a group of stacked quality quarterbacks that includes Prairie Ridge’s Samson Evans, Lyons’ Ben Bryant, Solorio’s Quincy Patterson and Barrington’s Ray Niro.
Third down
It’s only Week 3, but this is a big moment for Simeon. The Wolverines ( 0- 2) face Phillips on Saturday night at Gately. There isn’t any shame in losing to Oak Park and Detroit Cass. But the games followed a similar pattern to losses against good teams last season. Simeon gets down early, then mounts a comeback but isn’t able to pull out the win.
Wolverines quarterback Alante Brown was sharp in Michigan. He finished 21- for- 35 for 153 yards. Senior Leon Payne caught 15 passes for 119 yards.
Phillips traveled to Oak Lawn and beat a ranked Richards team 34- 21. The Wildcats will be heavy favorites Saturday in what is the most anticipated game of the Public League season.
Fourth down
Slowly but surely, Loyola running back Hamid Bullie will become a major factor this season. Bullie, just back after 10 months of rehabilitation, had one carry in the loss to Phillips in Week 1. It’s quite possible he changes the result of Phillips’ game- winning goal- line stand.
Bullie saw more action Friday, with 14 carries for 43 yards in Loyola’s win against California school Bishop Amat.
The Ramblers host Mount Carmel on Saturday in one of the marquee matchups in Week 3.