Ty Carlson, DJ Parrott big plays help Oswego East hold off Yorkville, clinch sixth straight playoff bid

YORKVILLE – Oswego East seniors Ty Carlson and DJ Parrott produced the two biggest plays of the game Friday evening during their Southwest Prairie West Conference clash with Yorkville.

In the end, Carlson’s electrifying touchdown reception in the first quarter and Parrott’s monster punt block during the third period proved to be the linchpins of the Wolves 14-7 triumph over the Foxes at Campbell Field in Yorkville.

As a result, Oswego East (6-1, 2-1 SPW) officially qualifies for the postseason for the sixth straight time.

“Those two plays were so important to us tonight against a Yorkville team that’s gotten the best of us over the past couple of seasons,” Oswego East coach Tyson LeBlanc said. “Yorkville’s defense really put us to the test and they’re a great ballclub. But we were able to grind this one out and I’m so proud of our guys knowing we’re in the playoffs now. However, we still have a lot of work to do with two weeks remaining in the regular season.”

Throughout the defensive struggle the Wolves were able to barely out gain the Foxes in total offense to the tune of 178 yards to 166.

Yorkville (4-3, 1-2) had a chance late in the fourth quarter to tie things up before Carlson also provided a big interception that eventually helped seal the deal for the visitors with the home squad still needing a victory to more than likely cement playoff eligibility.

“This was a really good offensive team we played against tonight and our defense really kept us in the game,” Yorkville coach Dan McGuire said. “Unfortunately, it was a couple of big plays by them that turned out to be the difference. Their defense was good as well but we ended up putting ourselves in bad positions and long yardage on offense due to mistakes or penalties and we’re not geared for that with the way we usually move the ball. We’ll have to bounce back next week in another game that we hopefully can control.”

The Foxes recovered two Wolves’ fumbles in the first quarter in prime scoring position, one by Ben Alverez and the other by Andrew Zook. But Yorkville was thwarted by penalties near the 30 yard line which eventually resulted in punts.

The Wolves responded quickly after that when Carlson hauled in a screen pass from quarterback Tre Jones (four of nine completions, 94 yards) and raced 73 yards for a touchdown scamper at 1:30 of the first period. After Owen Valek’s point after kick was true OEHS led 7-0 entering the second period.

“We started off the game slow offensively so when I had the chance to make a difference on that screen pass I wanted to make the best of it,” Carlson said. “My lineman gave me a huge convoy to the end zone and it got us on the board so credit to them.”

After a scoreless second quarter it was Parrott’s turn to shine when he blocked a Yorkville punt deep in enemy territory which was recovered by JaMarcus Garrett at the Foxes four yard line.

“On their previous punts we saw something we could work with and I was able to take advantage of their blocking scheme and get to the punter,” Parrott said. “I reached out for the ball and got it. What a great feeling it was for me.”

On the very next play Oshobi Odior (seven carries, 41 yards) plowed home with a four-yard touchdown blast with 5:49 left in the third quarter that gave the Wolves a 14-0 advantage.

Yorkville immediately built an 11-play 80-yard drive that culminated with a Deajeion Lewis 14-yard touchdown scamper at 1:11 that cut the Yorkville gap to 14-7 entering the fourth quarter.

Lewis led all rushers on the night with 21 carries and 103 yards.

But the Foxes couldn’t mount another drive and when Carlson intercepted Yorkville quarterback Nate Kraus at the 48-yard line with under five minutes to play all that was left for the Wolves to run out the clock behind three first downs via the solid rushing of Odior.