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Karczewski helps Andriano reach 300

While Montini coach Chris Andriano has seen plenty of playoff football, junior running back Jake Karczewski made his first postseason start Friday at St. Ignatius.

"I just went with the game plan and did whatever the coaches asked of me," Karczewski said. "If that meant getting the ball a lot, then I'd go with it, but if it meant blocking, I'd be fine with that too."

Because standout senior running back Prince Walker sat out with soreness after his first significant action in the regular-season finale, Karczewski carried the ball. A lot.

He basically doubled his season statistics. He rushed for 3 touchdowns and 109 yards on 16 carries in the Broncos' 41-8 Class 6A victory in Chicago.

Montini (7-3), the defending Class 6A champion, awaits its next opponent. It's expected to be a home game against undefeated No. 1 seed Prairie Ridge - a rematch of last year's state semifinal won by the Broncos 35-27.

Karczewski, who entered Friday with 3 TDs and 178 rushing yards on 26 carries, had the Broncos' second, third and fourth TDs.

"It was fun," Karczewski said. "The first two drives we were passing mostly and then we made a shift over to running. It was kind of like a game decision."

As for Andriano, the victory was his 300th in his 38th season with the Broncos, making him the ninth coach in Illinois history to reach the milestone.

"How about that? When you're around long enough, good things can happen. That's just coaches, players, parents, the whole thing," said Andriano, making his 24th consecutive playoff appearance.

"This group has come a long way this year. They're the story. This team has gotten so much better from the beginning of the season. We're just a different team."

Walker and fellow speedy running back Will Smith, recovering from a broken thumb, are expected back next week. However, senior receiver/defensive back Mitch West might be sidelined.

West had a 71-yard TD reception from quarterback Matt Morrissey but later was ejected near the end of the first quarter for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during a Montini punt return by Brandon Shilgalis.

The ejection carries a one-game suspension, but Andriano said he wants to get the play reviewed and suspension reconsidered. Seven unsportsmanlike conduct or 15-yard personal foul penalties followed in the game, five on the Wolfpack (7-3).

"The only bad taste in our mouth was when we lost (West)," Andriano said. "And it's just not like him so I don't know if they saw what they said they saw. I'm hoping that there's film that will verify that."

Montini junior Michael Cooney kicked back-to-back field goals of 34 and a season-high 48 yards on the Broncos' first two possessions.

Karczewski's TD runs of 3, 10 and 8 yards built a 34-0 lead in the third quarter. Quarterback Brad Norgle had an 18-yard TD pass to Alex Luka for a 41-0 lead with 7:04 left in the third quarter.

The defense had three fumble recoveries and allowed just 54 yards in the first half. St. Ignatius passed just four times.

Tommie Morrissey's recovery at the Wolfpack 31 set up Cooney's second field goal. West's TD immediately followed Nick Foster's recovery at the Montini 29. Luka's TD proceeded a Michael Ross fumble recovery.

"To be honest it was just instincts. When I saw the ball, I just hopped on it," Foster said.

"We knew about (No. 300), but really we had the mindset of just coming out and playing hard. With the win comes the prize with him getting 300, which is great. We're all happy."

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