Westerkamp era ending at Montini
An era ended last Saturday in Lombard.
Montini senior receiver Jordan Westerkamp is the last of two generations of football-playing Westerkamps to play on Duffy Field in a span of 40 seasons.
In 1972 Jordan's uncle John first played on the field as a sophomore. Following were Jim, Tom, Chris and Jordan's father, Bob, whose records Jordan smashed over his four-year varsity career. There were also five Westerkamp sisters.
The next generation included Jordan, his brother Christian and cousin Matt, who graduated in 2009 and 2010, respectively, helping the Broncos establish the roll they're now on.
Jordan ended the Westerkamp reign in style in Montini's 52-27 Class 5A quarterfinal win over nemesis Marian Central. He caught 10 catches for 160 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Each score was unique: one where he somehow got behind triple coverage; one where he flew by a Marian cornerback and safety before gathering in the ball; another in which he leaned at a 45-degree angle to catch an out throw while keeping his feet inbounds; and the last in which he ran a pump and go down the right sideline, caught the ball over his left shoulder deep in the end zone, stamped both feet down inbounds then tumbled into the fence surrounding the field.
Prior to his first touchdown, Westerkamp made the extremely rare drop before getting hit hard in the end zone.
"I was kind of mad. I shouldn't have dropped that," he said. "It was a pretty big hit, but they called my number next play and I was able to bounce back, so I was fortunate to have that touchdown."
Likewise, Montini has been fortunate to enjoy the Westerkamp regime and will anticipate the next generation.
Pressure packed:
During Naperville Central's 42-14 romp over Homewood-Flossmoor in last week's Class 8a quarterfinals, the Redhawks' defense completely smothered 6-foot-7 Vikings quarterback Tim Williams.
After Williams led his team to consecutive 48-point outbursts in the opening two rounds of the playoffs, ninth-seeded Naperville Central (9-3) held the Vikings' potent offense in check at all three levels of the defense.
The effort, though, started up front with the defensive line.
"They've been special all year," said Redhawks coach Mike Stine. "We caused pressure with just four guys, and that gave us a pretty big advantage defensively."
Linemen Zach Borta, the defensive player of the year in the DuPage Valley Conference, Cody Campbell, Rob Girgis and Gannon Davis will be on the spot again this week against electric Bolingbrook junior quarterback Aaron Bailey, who scored 5 touchdowns in the quarterfinals against Downers South.
The Redhawks play host to No. 2 Bolingbrook (11-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
"He'll be the best athlete on the field and maybe the state," Stine said.
Welcome back:
With Saturday's 28-0 win over Stevenson, Glenbard North (9-3) advanced to the Class 8A semifinals for the third time in five years.
It's quite an accomplishment for the 11th-seeded Panthers, who vie for a state final berth at noon Saturday against top-seeded Loyola (12-0) in Wilmette.
"Obviously, it's great for the program," said Glenbard North coach Ryan Wilkens. "But we want to make that next step."
The Panthers reached the 8A final in 2007 and returned to the semifinals in 2009. Two weeks ago they avenged last season's first-round loss to Palatine and this week the Panthers have the chance to avenge a 2008 first-round loss at Loyola.
"It's a great experience playing in Champaign," Wilkens said. "Hopefully, these guys get to experience it."
QB who?:
As the weeks go by, the barriers keep building for Wheaton Warrenville South.
The Tigers (9-3), seeded eighth in Class 7A, hit the road last week for a 10-7 victory at East St. Louis to keep their hopes very much alive for a third straight state title.
As impressive as WW South was in the opening rounds against Providence and top-seeded Lincoln-Way East, the win over the No. 5 Flyers may have been the most impressive.
Tigers starting quarterback Thaddeus Armstrong missed the game with a concussion, and sophomore backup Ryan Graham left in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
The Tigers turned to Jordan Davis, who quarterbacked the sophomore team in the regular season, for the final two series of the game.
"It's frustrating," said Tigers coach Ron Muhitch. "We've spent so much time developing Thaddeus and Graham. Now we're about back to where we were in January looking for a quarterback."
Graham is out this week with a knee injury, and Armstrong's questionable. In addition to Davis, Muhitch mentioned juniors Josh Wilson and Dan McKee as quarterback options in addition to Northwestern-bound running back Dan Vitale, who has rushed for 1,105 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Tigers travel to Chicago for a semifinal game against No. 3 St. Rita (10-2) at 6 p.m. Saturday.
"We're hoping we can get Thaddeus back," Muhitch said. "But we've been preparing like neither one of them is going to be available."