Jacobs’ offensive line clears path to Class 7A quarterfinals

When Jacobs offensive linemen check out the list of McHenry County area rushing leaders they feel a great sense of pride.

Those are their guys up there, Ben Ludlum and Nasir Canty, at Nos. 1 and 3 in rushing yards. The yards the Golden Eagles’ backs amass each week are the result of the fine work turned in by the line.

“It’s a great feeling,” tackle Will Siebert said. “We really feel good about it. From last year we have a lot of the same O-linemen, and I knew we were good, but we have really grown since the beginning of the year.”

Jacobs’ punishing running game is perhaps the main reason the No. 19-seeded Golden Eagles (8-3) will meet No. 11 Prospect (9-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday in a Class 7A playoff quarterfinal game.

Siebert is one of four returning starters on the line, along with tackle Joe Volenec, guard Luke Shannon and center Kyle Koziel. Matt Shannon, Luke’s brother, took the other guard spot as the new starter.

Volenec played only one game in the 2021 spring season because of a knee injury but has come back strong with his linemates this fall.

“We’ve worked hard over the season,” Volenec said. “We remember our jobs and know what to do. I feel like we don’t have that many foolish penalties. Another thing is our conditioning. We’re not gassed after a 6-minute drive of only running the ball. It feels good not to be tired after drives.”

The Eagles average 316.7 rushing yards and 39.6 points a game. Ludlum leads all area backs with 1,675 yards rushing, followed by Richmond-Burton fullback Brock Wood (1,391) and Canty (1,288). Ludlum has scored 24 touchdowns, Canty has 18.

Cary-Grove and Prairie Ridge run the triple-option offense to put up gaudy rushing numbers. Jacobs’ approach is different, a three-back set usually with two tight ends, Grant Stec and Nick True, blocking with the line.

Ludlum usually runs to the left, Canty usually runs to the right side, and the fullback, Michael Almeida before he was injured and now Antonio Brown, does work up the middle.

C-G and Prairie Ridge often rely on pre-snap and in-play reads from its quarterback, along with deceptive sleight of hand. Jacobs often predetermines where it’s going, but nevertheless has been difficult to stop.

Jacobs coach Brian Zimmerman lauds offensive line coach Ed Haugens for his work up front on the offense.

“Each week, they know their rules, they just feel confident,” Zimmerman said. “They have that reward when the see that offensive total for rushing yards each week.

“Our plays look similar, but the running back could be hitting a different hole. If it’s designed for outside run, we know they may overpursue and the backs can cut it up inside. The line’s development comes form the rules they have to follow and the repetition of the rules over and over and over again.”

Jacobs jumped out to a quick lead on Normal in its 17-7 second-round victory Friday. Ludlum took one of the first plays around left end and raced 40 yards to start that drive.

“It’s awesome. Everything’s there, and it’s seeing a hole and a wide-open gap to run through,” Ludlum said. “It gives me an opportunity to make big plays and get those yards and for us to keep driving. What they do really helps me, Nas and Tony (Brown). I’m grateful for them and our tight ends.”

Ludlum has rushed for 100 or more yards in 15 consecutive games and averages 9.0 yards a carry. Canty averages 7.3.

“They’re very smart, they do their job and keep their pad level low, they know all the schemes,” Canty said. “They’re just very good. It’s the best feeling ever. I saw the work they put in in the offseason. I knew they were going to have a good year, and Ben and I just had to step up to the plate and lead this team.”

After a quick start and touchdowns on their first two possessions, the Eagles did not have their best offensive game against Normal. Some turnovers and costly penalties stalled drives and the Eagles’ defense came up big to preserve the win.

Still, when the defense came up with a turnover on the Jacobs’ 20 early in the fourth quarter, the offensive line led a time-eating drive that finished with Dominik Rocha’s 27-yard field goal with 2:56 to go, making it a two-score lead.

After drives like that, Volenec thinks back to the summer workouts.

“It feels good because it makes us realize our work and all we practiced is really doing something,” Volenec said.

The Eagles have tied their deepest run into the playoffs by reaching the quarterfinals. Technically, the 1979 Jacobs team reached the Class 4A quarters, but back then there were 16-team brackets and only one win was needed to reach that round.

Jacobs advanced to the 2016 quarterfinals after going 5-4 in the regular season and lost a close game to Fenwick. So the Eagles now want to have school history all to themselves.

“It’s really awesome, especially because it’s the second time in school history,” Siebert said. “I hope to continue farther on. (Prospect) is a great team, we have to account for that. We have to do our job. If we do our jobs, we’ll do well again.”