March 29, 2024
Illinois High School Football News


News

Everett Stubblefield stars as Willowbrook clinches third straight West Suburban Gold title

Senior wide receiver and basketball standout catches three TDs in 44-0 win over Morton

BERWYN – Last winter, Everett Stubblefield established himself as a budding star on the basketball court.

Turns out the Willowbrook senior isn’t a slouch on the gridiron either.

On Friday night, Stubblefield helped the Warriors grab at least a share of their third straight West Suburban Gold conference title by catching six passes for 185 yards in a 44-0 win against Morton.

Three of those went for touchdowns – of 67, 68 and 9 yards – to raise Stubblefield's season total to nine. Not bad for someone who didn’t start playing football until his freshman year.

“I was playing behind a lot of good players last year,” Stubblefield said, “so I didn’t get to really showcase what I could do on the football field. Now I’m just taking the opportunities when my number is called and trying to make the most of my ability. And I’m glad that Sam (Tumilty) is my quarterback and that I have the team that I have.”

Stubblefield went on to say that his time on the football field has helped when he returns to the court.

“The conditioning is definitely different from basketball,” Stubblefield said. “And you got to be able to take a lot of hits. You have to get stronger and that helps me in basketball. It has also helped me be more aggressive.”

Stubblefield and fellow senior wideout Deandre Holliday have become quite the dominant duo for Willowbrook. Holliday added a 3-yard TD catch against Morton and has four on the fall. Each is averaging over 20 yards a reception.

“He’s a great target, both him and Deandre,” said Tumilty, who completed 8-of-9 passes on Friday for 195 yards while also rushing for a 49-yard touchdown. “I’ve talked about it, my wide receiving corps and the guys I have around me, I’d take them over anyone in the state.

“Everett is a really athletic guy who goes and gets the ball.”

Willowbrook head coach Nick Hildreth said the key was Stubblefield’s offseason work.

“He was a kid who showed flashes as a junior,” Hildreth said. “In the offseason, he really bought in and you could tell he was getting there. We saw that growth throughout the offseason and now you are seeing it on the field.”

What is also being seen on the field is a Willowbrook squad that is starting to peak at just the right time. The Warriors, who got three interceptions from Kevin Fitzgerald, ran their conference winning streak to 17 games and will look to extend that next week in the regular season finale against Proviso East.

Then it is off to the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season as the squad hopes to get over the quarterfinals hump.

“That’s our goal, each week to get better,” Tumilty said. “We try to look inward. We watch a lot of film and see what parts need to get cleaned up. That helps a lot. Football is a long season and you hope to be a different team by week nine.”