Warriors’ O-line paves the way
It’s only high school football, so Waubonsie Valley quarterback Jack Drow won’t be buying his offensive linemen expensive cars or watches. But he’ll be doing his best to reward his teammates after their performance Friday in Bolingbrook.
“They’re going to get a dinner,” Drow said. “I can promise that.”
The Warriors’ offensive line protected Drow and opened holes for running back Bryce Logan to lead Waubonsie Valley to a 38-21 victory against the Raiders in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs.
“Our offensive line finally played the way they’re capable of playing,” Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy said. “They stuck to the game plan and trusted the coaches, same thing with the defense.”
Logan had 21 carries for 114 yards and scored three touchdowns. He’s a small, fast, bruising runner. His quickness and determination were on display on his 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
“It’s not about me; it’s about the team,” Logan said. “We all played amazing tonight. It was a great team effort all around.”
Drow was 10-for-16 for 99 yards. He had seven carries for 50 yards and one touchdown.
The Warriors’ offense sputtered a bit in the first half but started gobbling up yards on the ground in the second quarter.
“[Bolingbrook] lined up different than we thought they would,” Murphy said. “Once we were able to get the kids over to the sideline and adjust, we were OK and knew what to call, and the kids started executing.”
Waubonsie Valley senior defensive back Julian Cain made a handful of big plays. He swatted two long passes out of the air and grabbed a crucial interception in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. He also recovered a fumbled punt in the fourth.
“He’s done that a couple of times this season; he’s a big-play guy,” Murphy said. “He’s had a great year for us.”
Harper Cole caught five passes for 50 yards for the Warriors (7-3). Dre’Von Turner had eight carries for 30 yards and a touchdown.
“Our schedule prepared us for this,” Logan said. “From Oak Park to Edwardsville and the DuPage Valley, we’ve played different types of good teams from all over, and that really has us clicking on all cylinders.”
Waubonsie Valley’s schedule has been top-notch. The Warriors also have faced Prairie Ridge, Neuqua Valley and Naperville Central.
“We knew we were in for a rock’em, sock-’em game,” Murphy said. “Our defense isn’t that big, but we are quick, and we love to hit.”
Bolingbrook’s Quentin Pringle, one of the area’s top running backs, did not disappoint. He had 13 carries for 179 yards and three touchdowns, including a 77-yard score that cut Waubonsie Valley’s lead to 28-21 late in the third quarter.
“Pringle is an amazing player,” Logan said. “I give him credit. He’s a running back I really look up to. I was proud to play against this team and this defense.”
Quarterback Devyn Suggs was 8-for-14 for 44 yards with one interception for the Raiders (7-3).
Things don’t get any easier for the Warriors. They will host Maine South, a winner against Huntley, in the second round of the playoffs next weekend.
“I’m really excited,” Drow said. “It will be a good one. But we’ve been playing playoff teams all season. We will just take it like any other regular-season game.”
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