Driscoll to test another newcomer

Never before in the playoffs had Driscoll faced Bishop McNamara.

Dispatching that squad 47-19 to begin defense of their six straight state titles, the top-seeded Highlanders (10-0) test another newcomer.

Class 4A No. 8 seed Illinois Valley Central (8-2), based in Chillicothe on the banks of Upper Peoria Lake, won its first playoff game in school history last week, 18-14 over Rock Island Alleman -- a 26-6 victim of Driscoll in Week 1.

IVC coach Tim Heinz, an Aurora native who has led the Grey Ghosts to the playoffs in each of his three seasons, knows the Driscoll lore without having played the Highlanders.

Whatever the outcome, Heinz knows what his players will give him.

"We've accomplished a lot so far, and they know we'll go up there and just play hard," he said. "Whatever happens, happens."

What happened last week was running back James Lauber had 17 carries for 233 yards and all 3 IVC scores.

"He can go the distance any time he touches the ball," Heinz said.

Fellow speedy back Jake Elias has helped the Ghosts to six straight wins; prior losses were to Farmington and Spring Valley Hall (which Driscoll beat 41-0).

Between Elias and Lauber, myriad offensive and defensive looks, 263-pound sophomore defensive lineman Tom Foley, small-but-lethal 158-pound nose tackle Levi Bannister and kicker Anthony Buob, IVC has grabbed Driscoll coach Mike Burzawa's attention.

"They're going to be coming in with a lot of steam, a lot of excitement," he said. "We need to take the wind out of their sails right away."

Last week Driscoll led 12-0 before Bishop McNamara ran a play. Quarterback David Schwabe scored on a 24-yard keeper, the Highlanders recovered one of Nick Stenzel's pop-up kickoffs and tailback Tim Franken scored again.

Driscoll gave IVC more food for thought with a 21-point second quarter, scoring on the ground and in the air as the Highlanders earned their fifth running-clock win.

"We were on top of our game, our kids executed flawlessly," Burzawa said.

Heinz has watched the film. Now Illinois Valley Central gets a crack at the real thing.

"I think they'll take the attitude that they respect our opponents, like we've done all year," he said.