Perez's classic effort powers Maine South

Just about every time Maine South senior Matt Perez touches the football, he seems to provide a highlight or two that will last forever.

Take, for example, one of Perez's best efforts on Saturday in the Hawks' Class 8A quarterfinal game against visiting Glenbrook South.

The Indiana-bound Perez broke no less than 6 tackles, spun through numerous defenders and ended up dancing his way to a 45-yard score.

As good as the play way, Hawks coach Dave Inserra will have to wait to see the whole thing.

"I thought he got tackled at about the 20," Inserra said. "I was getting our next play ready and missed the whole thing."

Fortunately for Inserra, he will get to see plenty of Perez and the rest of the Hawks, for at least another week. Thanks to another monster rushing effort by Perez and a solid all-around defensive effort, the defending 8A champions advanced to the semifinals with a 44-23 win over Glenbrook South.

Maine South (12-0) will host Loyola (11-1), a 24-7 winner over Mt. Carmel next Saturday at 1 p.m. at Wilson Field for the right to play downstate

"This is about 100 guys working together to accomplish one goal - to win a championship," Inserra told his team.

While there were plenty of stars for the Hawks, the biggest and brightest was Perez. For the second time in as many games against the Titans this year, Perez eclipsed the 300-yard mark on the ground. Saturday, Perez rushed 24 times for 320 yards and accounted for 4 touchdowns. All this came after a week where Perez failed to practice due to illness.

"I was out Monday and Tuesday, went through a walk-through on Wednesday and Friday this week," Perez said. "I felt better today and just knew I had to go today."

Perez feeling better made the Titans feel worse.

Trailing 30-7 at the half, Glenbrook South got back into the game, albeit briefly with a 25-yard scoring strike on fourth down from Mike Pullano to Alex Garvey. The 2-point conversion pulled the Titans to within 30-15 early in the third quarter.

It took Perez and the offense on 58 seconds to steal the momentum back. Known more for his ability to run over defenders, Perez showed his speed this time, running away from Titans defenders for a 77-yard score and a 37-15 advantage.

"He is the best back in the state," said Glenbrook South coach Mike Noll. "Defensively I thought our kids did everything they could. (Maine South) is a very good football team."

Perez also added scoring runs of 15 and 6 yards to close out the scoring for Maine South.