Wrap-up: Serrano, Leyden clinch playoff berth

Leyden football finally got its playoff payoff Friday night.

The Eagles (5-3, 4-1) overcame an early deficit behind another spectacular performance from senior Josh Serrano for a 28-20 West Suburban Gold win at Addison Trail (1-7, 1-4).

The Eagles will have at least 40 playoff points -- more than enough for an at-large berth and their first postseason trip since 1998 -- if they finish 5-4. They host perennial power Downers Grove South (8-0, 5-0) for a shot at the division title next week.

"The kids were going crazy and they knew what was at stake tonight," said third-year Leyden coach Tom Cerasani. "Our goal was to be at this point. To go into the last game, it doesn't get any better to get ready for the playoffs and play for the conference championship."

Serrano was once again the workhorse as he had 35 carries for 204 yards a touchdown. He also threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to Sam Cochiaro.

"He came to play and he had a pretty good game on both sides of the ball," Cerasani said of Serrano. "He's a special kid. There aren't too many guys like him playing."

Cochiaro also caught a touchdown pass from Tim O'Connell as the Eagles took a 28-14 lead at halftime. Angel Maldonado played nose guard for the first time and forced 2 fumbles.

Addison Trail scored with three minutes to play but Leyden ran out the clock.

"It feels good," Cerasani said of the school's fifth playoff appearance. "It's a great thing for the kids. It's a payoff for all the hard work that's been put into this program."

Highland Park 55, Maine W. 0: The Warriors fell to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in the Central Suburban North with the road loss.

Boys soccer

Elk Grove 4, Notre Dame 0: Leaders always step up when its playoff time. That's exactly what Anthony Vasquez and Mike Karwowski did Friday night for the Elk Grove boys soccer team in its Class AA regional quarterfinal.

Vasquez scored the second goal of the match and assisting on the third goal. Mike Karwowski had his leg in the other 2 Grenadier goals -- scoring the third goal and adding an assist on a Robert Pechacek's goal to cap it off.

Andy Larson had 2 saves to preserve the shutout. The No. 13 Grens host second-seeded Maine South at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.