Jones, Montini off and running against Sycamore

Montini can still run the football.

Montini switched to a spread offense from the triple option in the off-season, but when the Broncos needed it most, the run was still there for them Saturday in Lombard.

The run was there, and Dex Jones was gone. Up the middle and then down the right sideline, 90 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to finally salt away a 14-3 Class 5A playoff-opening victory against a Sycamore team that earned the Broncos' respect.

"I think it was a 34 trap and (senior lineman) Zack Shuta just made an awesome trap and there was just a wide-open hole," said Jones, a Wisconsin-bound senior. "The blocks were as best as can be and I just picked a hole and ran it. … Most of the credit for that big run goes to the offensive line. They really did the best on that."

"We had a guy in the hole and we just missed the tackle," Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said. "But it was a physical war. You wear down, and those tackles are probably made in the first quarter. Fourth quarter, it becomes a little bit more difficult, especially with a running back like Jones."

Jones totaled 206 yards on 15 carries for the game, and Johnny Borsellino added another 85 yards on 9 carries, but the Sycamore defense held firm when it had to. Montini (9-1) did itself no favors either, with 10 penalties for 90 yards.

"Penalties really killed us in the first half, and I think we took care of that in the second half and I think that really made the difference in the game," Jones said.

Montini started the second quarter with a 7-play drive that ended with quarterback Tom DiCristina passing to wideout Brian Zirko in the right corner of the end zone.

"That was a great catch," Montini coach Chris Andriano said. "That was one of the best catches I've seen. Not just this year, but all-time. That was a great catch. Finger tip. Laid out for it. That's wanting the ball. He did."

Sycamore (5-5) answered with a seven-minute drive, making the score 7-3 on a Josh Howells 25-yard field goal.

That's where it stood until Jones broke loose in the fourth quarter following a Sean Cahill interception on a fourth- and-6 play.

"We played our tails off against a really good team and went toe-to-toe," Ryan told reporters. "I don't think any one of you, if I'd called you this week, probably thought we had much of a chance, and there's probably not a lot of people who thought we did."

Montini survives for a rematch with Suburban Catholic Conference rival Marian Central. Montini won the regular-season matchup 33-0 in Week 7, but Marian is expected to have quarterback Jon Budmayr healthy for this game. Montini will host the game, which probably will be played Saturday afternoon.