DePalma goes on offensive in impressive fashion
Grant DePalma had the best offensive game of his career Friday night at Conant, and the showcase started early. On the second play from scrimmage, to be exact.
Prospect recovered an onside kick to start the game, and DePalma's first carry was a 39-yard touchdown, the longest of his career, surpassing the 16-yarder he rushed home last week against Schaumburg.
The Knights (3-0) ran out to a 21-point halftime lead, then coasted to a 41-21 Mid-Suburban League football crossover victory at Feutz Field. Conant falls to 1-2.
"Grant is a Prospect football player through and through," said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman. "He's courageous; he's smart and literally will play through anything.
"When you think of the (Prospect state) championship teams, Grant DePalma surely could have played with (those teams), and a lot of these kids could have."
DePalma, who also plays middle linebacker, finished with 7 carries for 67 yards and four TDs. He also had touchdown runs of 15, 3 and 2 yards - and his 4 TDs was a personal best.
The junior only had a combined 2 touchdowns the last two seasons.
"We try to talk to our kids about being winners in life, and Grant is just a winner," Pearlman said. "Grant was not supposed to be a big part of the running game.
"Grant was going to be a guy who got the ball (only) a couple times per game. But every time you give him the ball, he makes something happen. So we're going to keep giving it to him and just let him make something happen.
"I don't think he's a great running back; I just think he's a winner. He keeps things alive; he keeps his feet moving. His heart gives him a lot more than his physical attributes."
Prospect senior quarterback Miles Osei (9-for-13, 222 yards, 1 interception) threw TD strikes for the Knights' other scores.
Osei, who had seven consecutive completions at one point, connected with John Coen for a highlight reel 54-yard touchdown at 10:14 of the third quarter, giving the Knights a 28-0 lead. He also hit Peter Bonahoom with a 5=yard touchdown toss.
Conant senior Kyle Klosowicz (35 carries, 146 yards) scored on two 1-yard TD runs. Senior Otto Linderman powered home on a 5-yard rush.
"We just didn't execute in the first half and we didn't really do much better in the second half. I guess we just need to play hard from the start," Klosowicz said. "We were talking this week about how (the Knights') defense is not as good - I don't know, maybe that got to our heads."
Conant quarterback Rico Prestia completed 5-of-10 passes for 65 yards. He also rushed for 37 yards on 13 carries.
"We came out and weren't ready to play; it's as simple as that," Linderman said.