Stevenson loves all the dirty work
Stevenson seniors Matt Harris and Mark Weisman don't mind doing to the dirty work for the Patriot offense. So when it came to playing in the mud, slop and goop at Wolters Field against Highland Park in the season opener, didn't entirely mind at all.
"Oh yeah, we love playing in this stuff," Harris said. "You really don't notice your uniform or shoes being wet - until the game is over."
After the Patriots' 34-0 season opening win over the Giants, that's when the real work has to be done. The work of getting the mud soaked uniforms, socks and shoes clean for next week.
"Yeah, that shower will feel good but I don't think mom will like the mess," Weisman said with a smile referring to the cleaning job facing Ilene Weisman.
While Weisman and Harris made a mess of their road uniforms on Friday, the two Patriots did their best to make a mess of the Highland Park defense.
On the Patriots' second offensive series of the season, Weisman broke through the Giant defense for a 43-yard touchdown run and a 7-0 Patriot lead less than three minutes into play.
The very next series, Weisman busted loose on a 40-yard run that set up the Patriots second score of the night. Junior quarterback Kevin Earl floated a beautiful pass to the right corner of the end zone that was hauled in by senior Nate Johnson and Stevenson (1-0) had all the points it needed at 14-0.
"We have a lot of weapons on offense," said Stevenson coach Bill Mitz. "Mark and Matt can run the ball, but Kevin can really throw it and we have some receivers that can go get it."
Stevenson went back to the ground for its final possession of the first quarter and it was the Air Force-bound Weisman that did the damage again. Using nifty footwork to fake out the Highland Park defense, Weisman barreled down the near sideline for 39 yards and his second score of the night.
In one quarter of work, Weisman carried the ball just seven times, but rushed for 123 yards and the pair of scores.
"I worked a lot on my footwork in the offseason," Weisman said. "I thought the offensive line did a great job of blocking and opening up holes for Matt and I."
Harris was not to be outdone. With Weisman taking a well-deserved breather, Harris broke loose on the Patriots' first possession of the second quarter for an 81-yard run that nearly landed Harris in the end zone.
"I really thought I would get there," said Harris who finished with 98 yards on 7 carries. "I got a huge hole to run through and my line made it easy on me."
The Patriot defense more than did its part. Led by junior Brion Wood and senior Evan Masters, Stevenson held Highland Park (0-1) to 155 yards in total offense and just one yard rushing in the second half.
"We had a lot of guys flying around to the ball on defense and have some play makers back there," Mitz said. "All around, it was a good first win. Now it's on to Glenbrook South."
Wood capped the scoring with a 32-yard interception return in the third quarter.