Naperville Central gets a kick out of Bell's returns

For all the tremendous kick returners in the area and there are plenty Naperville Central's Tyler Bell may just be developing into the most dangerous.

The senior returned kicks for touchdowns in each of the last two weeks in what has become a pattern for the Redhawks this season. Bell had a 99-yard kick return for a touchdown last week against Wheaton North that came on the heels of a 93-yard return for a score against Naperville North.

Bell had a 75-yard return against Wheaton Warrenville South that set up a touchdown, and two returns for touchdowns were called back by penalties earlier this season according to Redhawks coach Mike Stine.

“He's pretty potent with that, Stine said. “He's the fastest kid on the team, and he has a knack for setting up blocks and finding where to go.

Bell, Naperville Central's third-leading receiver with 9 catches for 166 yards and a 47-yard touchdown against West Aurora, is averaging 30.3 yards a kick return this season. As a junior he returned a kick for a touchdown in the season opener against Waubonsie Valley.

“We work really hard on our special teams, Stine said. “Tyler gets the credit, but it's all 11 guys who are involved in returns like that.

Friday fallout: Thanks to the quick reaction by Fenton and Ridgewood coaches, last week's scuffle between the teams didn't get very far.

Late in the third quarter of Fenton's 39-13 Metro Suburban Conference road win, five Ridgewood players and Fenton's Eron McCoy and Kyle Moriarty were ejected following a brief on-field fight.

Players from both sidelines left the bench but coaches, school officials and police officers at the game stepped in to prevent the situation from escalating.

“I kept hearing the word ‘brawl,' and there was no brawl, said Fenton coach Mark Kos. “I really think it's been overblown, but it was definitely an unfortunate event.

Game officials submitted a report to the IHSA noting the good job by representatives from both schools in limiting the scuffle that extended into the stands among fans.

Craig Anderson, an assistant executive director with the IHSA, notified Fenton this week that no further action would be taken against the team or the players. Because of the ejection, McCoy and Moriarty will not play in this week's game against Elmwood Park.

“It's a shame something like that happened, but we'll learn from it and move on, Kos said. “You get a win but you leave with a bad taste in your mouth.

Hitting the ground running: Standout Downers Grove South running back Josh Williams missed last week's game against Hinsdale South because of an ankle injury suffered the week before against Proviso East.

With the backup running back also hurt the Mustangs turned to receiver Ryan Oruche, who has backfield experience but also hurt an ankle.

Downers South coach John Belskis suddenly had a serious problem.

“It was incredible, he said. “Our offense has really been hit by injuries this year. Only three starters have stayed healthy all year.

Belskis turned to starting cornerback Danny Leach, who hadn't played running back since the sixth grade.

“I know the kid's a good athlete and he's fast, so we gave him a shot, Belskis said. “We gave him a crash course every day in practice and went with our best athlete.

Leach, who still started on defense, responded with 120 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns in a 27-0 West Suburban Gold victory.

Belskis is hopeful Williams and Oruche both will return from their injuries in time for Friday's showdown against Addison Trail that should decide the Gold champion.

“This is kind of like a playoff game, Belskis said. “Either we're going to win the title or we're not.

End of an era: Friday night in Roselle will be the last home game for Lake Park coach Andy Livingston.

Livingston, in his 17th season, and Lancers defensive coordinator Bob Nihells are retiring after this academic year.

These two don't sound like sentimental types.

“I don't think anybody really wants to have that kind of a conversation, like a couple old codgers, Livingston said.

Still, Livingston said assistant coaches and possible heirs apparent Chris Roll and Dave Mikes have spread the word to Lancers past via Facebook to see off their former coaches.

“And of course the Monkens will be there, too, Livingston said.

Bob Monken, Livingston's predecessor at Lake Park, is assisting son Ted Monken at Metea Valley, Lake Park's opponent Friday.

“Once they hit something like Facebook it just took off, Livingston said of the reunion effort. “Saying that, there may be only 10 people there. But I think it might be kind of good for the program, and I think it'll be good for Bob and Ted because in some ways they're still Lancers, but they're not.

Livingston spent his first four years coaching at Mt. Carmel, helping one-time St. Francis coach Bill Barz win a state title with the Caravan, their first, in 1980.

Livingston also spent one year apiece at Miami (Fla.) Dade County and at Wheaton Central before arriving at Lake Park.

Livingston remembered Lake Park home battles against Andrew in 1993, the last year he was Bob Monken's defensive coordinator; and the 32-28 upset of Barrington in the 2003 Class 8A quarterfinals.

This 1-6 season won't garner any accolades from Livingston. That's when his wife, Leland, grabbed the phone.

“It's hard, I think, but as I've told him a thousand times it's not one season, it's a career, and that's way more important, she said. “The many hundreds of kids that you've touched and encouraged and made a difference in their lives, that's what's important.

Now, the big boys: On the face of it, Lisle's 4-3 record looks decent for a playoff bid with two games left.

Trouble is, after going 4-1 for a solid second-place finish in the Interstate Eight Conference's Small Division behind undefeated Wilmington, Lisle now plays Large Division schools Manteno (3-4) and Herscher (6-1). Thus far the Small is 4-8 against the Large, with Wilmington winning two of the four.

When they say Large, they mean it.

“(Manteno) will be probably the biggest team we've faced, said Lisle coach Dan Sanko. “Bigger than we're used to.

Maybe some of those homecoming distractions coaches always talk about will bite Manteno. More likely it'll be Lisle sticking to its recent script of no turnovers, offensive diversity and great defense, which has led to three straight wins.

“Our kids are confident right now but I'm sure they are, too, Sanko said. “I think it's going to be a real good game, but we've got to play a pretty clean game.