Again, Raiders stand in Richards' way

In 2001 Glenbard South faced an unbeaten Richards football team primed for a run at the Class 6A state title.

Tonight in Oak Lawn the Raiders face another Richards team aiming for the exact same success.

For the 10th time in program history, Richards entered the postseason with a 9-0 record. And for the second time Glenbard South (7-3) is standing in the way of perfection.

"Obviously, it's a great challenge playing a storied program like Richards," said Glenbard South coach Dan Starkey. "It'll be a good test to see where we're at."

Eighth-seeded Glenbard South had little trouble advancing to the second round, rolling to a 41-0 victory over King last week in Glen Ellyn. Mike Oratowski led a 200-yard rushing attack with 90 yards and 2 touchdowns as five players reached the end zone.

They'll need a similar ground effort tonight along with balanced contributions from quarterback Kevin Marshall, who, despite the rainy night, completed 6 of 8 passes for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Defensively, the Raiders continued to thrive as linebackers Austin Teitsma and Louis Erkins, who intercepted a pass, combined for 14 tackles.

"We're looking for a very tough game," said Richards coach Gary Korhonen, the state's winningest high school football coach. "Whenever you get to Round 2, everyone's good. Even though we've had success in the playoffs, it doesn't mean we can't get knocked around."

Richards is led by quarterback Tommie Thomas, who has accounted for nearly 1,900 yards of offense and 25 touchdowns, and running back Lamar Harvey, who has rushed for 1,090 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Korhonen calls Thomas, a wide receiver and defensive back last year who boasts several Division I college offers, perhaps the best quarterback he's had in his 36 years at the helm.

The top-seeded Bulldogs' defense, allowing only 9 points a game, is another strength for a team making its 23rd straight playoff appearance in search of its third state title.

"As much as we respect Richards," Starkey said, "we feel we're going to be pretty well prepared by the competition we've played."