Chicago Christian overcomes Wheaton Academy

Wheaton Academy has good athletes.

Quarterback Brian Pell, running back Christian Reddick, wide receiver Evan Klisares and tight end Anthony Ritchie were some of the players who came up with big-time plays in Friday's Private School League football showdown at Chicago Christian.

But the Knights have plenty of good athletes themselves. According to Wheaton Academy coach Ben Wilson, they have more of them and that proved to be the difference in their 46-21 homecoming victory over the Warriors in Palos Heights

"We can't match up with the other team's athletes," Wilson said. "We don't have as many go-to guys as them. We just let in too many plays."

Chicago Christian quarterback Jason Vander Laan turned in a marquee performance, passing for 3 touchdowns and running in two more. Perhaps his best highlight of the game was when he slashed his way through the Warriors defense for a 58-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Vander Laan piled up 123 yards on 7 carries.

One of his wide receivers, Andy Stuursma, had 5 catches for 108 yards to complement a balanced ground attack led by the power running of Dan Merrick who ran for 80 yards on 15 carries. Chicago Christian coach Joe Hamstra felt Merrick's running was key in leading the way for his team to improve to 6-1 overall and 4-1 in the conference.

"They have good players just like we do," Hamstra said. "I think the difference is that we were able to run the ball upfront. When we needed to move the sticks, we were able to put the ball in the belly of our fullback and our line was able to get a push."

With the loss Wheaton Academy dropped to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in the conference. The Warriors must win their last two games against Lake Forest Academy and Aurora Christian to qualify for postseason play.

To get the job done, Wheaton Academy will need Bell and Co. to play like they did on Friday but avoid costly mistakes such as a bad snap, penalties and missed tackles. Bell did turn in a strong game at the helm, passing for 312 yards. He punched in a pair of touchdowns too on quarterback keepers.

Ritchie made some highlight reel catches himself and showed he has great hands and the ability to pull in a pass with the defense draped all over him. Klisares turned in the Warriors' longest play of the game - a 58-yard reception - that led to Bell's touchdown one play later during a drive in the third quarter. Reddick also had a 10-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter that made the score 26-14.