CL South airs it out to beat Prairie Ridge
Air Stuglis.
Well, at least for 1 week.
Crystal Lake South coach Jim Stuglis who is known for an offense which features a punishing running game with an occasional pass decided to air it out with sophomore quarterback Drew Ormseth.
Stuglis' plan worked to perfection.
Ormseth completed 11-of-20 passes for 239 yards and 3 touchdowns as the pass happy Gators throttled cross town rival Prairie Ridge 31-14 in a Fox Valley Conference Crossover game at South's Ken Bruhn Field Friday night. The Gator running game only managed 71 yards on 23 carries.
"Prairie Ridge put 9 guys in the box and took away the run," said Stuglis.
"The pass was there and Drew showed a lot of poise and threw the ball extremely well."
PR (2-2) held the early momentum and grabbed a 14-7 lead when Kevin Keener scored from 6 yards out with 11:06 left in the first half. The Wolves were held scoreless for the final 35 minutes by a swarming aggressive South defense.
The Gators knotted the game at 14 with 4:41 remaining before the half when Ormseth connected with Ryan Forrestal for a 44-yard TD.
After a PR punt, the Gators got the ball back and moved it to the Wolves 20. With no time left on the clock, Mike Frericks split the uprights from 37 yards to give the Gators a 17-14 lead at halftime. A lead they didn't relinquish.
"That kick was so huge," said Stuglis. "That gave us so much momentum heading into the lockerroom. The kids felt good coming out of halftime."
The Gators scored 2 unanswered TD's in the second half. Ormseth connected with Alex Macaulay for a 14-yard score and the Gator QB scored on a 1-yard run.
Macaulay caught 2 passes for 66 yards and a score, returned 3 kicks for 136 yards including 1 for 66 yards and recovered a fumble.
"It was a fun game to be in," said Macaulay. "Drew had a great game and our defense was very aggressive."
PR's Keener ran 27 times for 158 yards and a score. Will Mack intercepted 2 of Ormseth's passes.
"We would move the ball and turn the ball over and have a key penalty," said
PR coach Chris Schremp. "Our defense forced South to pass, but they threw the ball well. When they had to make a play they did. When we had to Make a play we didn't. It's that simple."