Wheaton Academy probably is in, IC is out of playoffs
There is a first time for everything.
In Wheaton Academy's case, Friday night likely clinched the first time it is punching a playoff ticket since it restarted its football program four years ago, becoming playoff-eligible with its fifth win.
The Warriors showed two different sides of themselves as they beat Immaculate Conception 35-15 in Elmhurst.
"This is just absolutely amazing," Wheaton Academy running back Kai Libby said. "To be the first in school history is something special. This just lets us know that all of our hardwork has finally paid off."
In the first half the Warriors used a slow methodical offense while in the second half they took more chances.
Wheaton Academy (5-2) took the opening drive 80 yards on 16 plays while eating up almost nine minutes of clock. Quarterback Brian Pell ended up taking the ball into the end zone on a 1-yard run on a fourth-and-goal play.
The Warriors led 6-0 at the half.
Early in the second half, the Knights (2-5) had a three-minute drive capped by a 6-yard touchdown run by Matt Mesnard, giving IC a short-lived lead.
Less than a minute later, Libby scored on a 59-yard run giving the Warriors the lead back.
On the ensuing kickoff Wheaton Academy went for an onside kick and recovered it. Jimmy Johnson ended catching a 31-yard touchdown pass seven seconds later to give the Warriors a 19-7 lead.
"In the first half we kind of chipped away at it and it worked," Pell said. "In the second half we took more chances down the field and made them pay when they missed tackles. It is fun throwing the ball to these receivers. I give them mad props for them making the plays they make to make me look good."
Reigning Class 2A champion IC will not be going to the playoffs this season.
"This was tough on our kids, devastating actually," IC coach Mike Alberts said. "We haven't even talked about this scenario all season. We had our backs to the wall and they played well tonight."
Pell completed 13 of 18 passes for 233 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win.