April 19, 2024
Illinois High School Football News
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Football: CJ Harris just one of the heroes in Willowbrook's historic win

Warriors win a wild one 36-26 over Maine West, match school win record from 1975 team

By MATT LE

Willowbrook fans won’t soon forget Saturday’s historic 36-26 victory over visiting Maine West in a Class 7A second-round game, and the aforementioned quartet played starring roles. Harris scored one touchdown on a reception and another on a fumble recovery in the end zone and had the game-clinching interception as the Warriors (11-0) tied the school record for victories that had stood since 1975.

Willowbrook fans won’t soon forget Saturday’s historic 36-26 victory over visiting Maine West in a Class 7A second-round game, and the aforementioned quartet played starring roles. Harris scored one touchdown on a reception and another on a fumble recovery in the end zone and had the game-clinching interception as the Warriors (11-0) tied the school record for victories that had stood since 1975.

Willowbrook is in the state quarterfinals for the third consecutive season and will travel to defending state champion Batavia next week. “I had a bigger role today in the absence of a couple of my teammates, so I had to step up,” Harris said. “When I recovered that fumble, it was just me being aware of the ball.” (Jeff Krage)

Scott Tumilty opened the scoring when he caught a 25-yard pass from Sam Tumilty, but the game was a seesaw affair for most of the first half. Zoe Ericson-Staton’s 32-yard field goal gave the Warriors a 9-7 lead after one quarter, but Maine West (9-2) went up 14-9 on a one-yard run by Jake Bellizzi. Willowbrook then drove to the Maine West 37 before facing fourth-and-4. Sam Tumilty completed a short pass to Scott Tumilty, who broke a tackle and went around left end for 36 yards until he was stripped at the 1. (Jeff Krage)

The ball popped up in the air and into the end zone, where the diving Harris caught it for the go-ahead touchdown with 2:44 left in the second quarter. The Warriors never trailed again. “It’s nothing new for him,” Scott Tumilty said. “He puts in the work just like everyone of us. I’m not surprised he came out and balled out for us this week.” Like Harris, Scott Tumilty also had a second-half interception. He returned his 95 yards for a score to boost the lead to 22-14 early in the third quarter, saying afterward the Warriors had been inspired by how the first half ended. (Jeff Krage)

“Going into halftime we were only up one,” Scott Tumilty said. “The coaches got on us a little and I think we came out with a little more fire, a little more chip on our shoulders. “We came out with some big hits, some big plays, some big interceptions.” There were plenty of big plays in a wild second half that saw four return touchdowns. Bellizzi scored on a 75-yard return of Sam Tumilty’s fumble to pull Maine West within 22-20, though the conversion run failed. (Jeff Krage)

But Holliday took the ensuing kickoff back 95 yards for a touchdown with 3:39 to go in the third quarter. Following a short punt which Scott Tumilty returned to the Maine West 21, Sam Tumilty tossed a 21-yard scoring strike to Harris 12 seconds into the fourth quarter.The last of Ericson-Staton’s three extra-points extended Willowbrook’s lead to 36-20. “It was just a little bit crazy,” Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth said. “Not quite how you want to draw it up, but we’ll take it.” (Jeff Krage)

Harris took away any hopes Maine West had of a comeback when he intercepted a pass at his own goal line with 7:26 to go. That turned out to be important because the visitors scored on a 57-yard punt return by David Jackson with 4:25 left. “We had those up and downs throughout the entire game but they responded every time,” Hildreth said. “I give our guys credit for that. “There’s some things we need to clean up and a little bit of sloppiness in some spots that I think were self-inflicted. But every time that they made a play I thought our guys responded really well.” (Jeff Krage)

Willowbrook running back D'Onte Gholston carries the football during an IHSA class 7A round 2 playoff game against Maine West in Villa Park on Saturday, Nov 3. Next: #5 Willowbrook at #4 Batavia in an IHSA class 7A quarterfinal.

Willowbrook quarterback Sam Tumilty throws a deep pass during an IHSA class 7A round 2 playoff game against Maine West in Villa Park on Saturday, Nov. 3. Next: #5 Willowbrook at #4 Batavia in an IHSA class 7A quarterfinal.

Willowbrook linebacker Tommy Iozzo grabs Maine West quarterback Danny Kentgen during an IHSA class 7A round 2 playoff game in Villa Park on Saturday, Nov. 3. Next: #5 Willowbrook at #4 Batavia in an IHSA class 7A quarterfinal. (Jeff Krage)

Willowbrook quarterback Samuel Tumilty looks for an open receiver during an IHSA class 7A round 2 playoff game against Maine West in Villa Park on Saturday, Nov. 3. (Jeff Krage)