Antioch's Joey Neumann scores on a long pass from quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis against North Chicago in a football game in Antioch Thursday.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Minnesota-bound Athan Kaliakmanis has raised his ability at quarterback to another level. His role leading Antioch shows his growth and efficiency from all of his work effort over the last four years and through offseason work through the quarantine.
Kaliakmanis (11 of 13 passing for 232 yards) threw for 4 touchdowns in the first half as Antioch rolled past North Chicago 61-6 in a Northern Lake County Conference game in Antioch on Thursday night.
"This week we took practice very seriously," Kaliakmanis said. "Week two, we got it all together. I've worked so hard on my accuracy and my arm-strength. I've done a lot with my dad (Alex). He has shown me a lot of things with research. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't look this good."
"One of the things was the decisions he's making at the line and checking in and out of plays," Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. "He had a couple of great checks. My plays are suggestions to the quarterback, if they see anything else to check off. He had a couple of nice checks and it put us in a better position to move the sticks. It was really good decision-making on his part." Antioch (2-0, 2-0) raced out to a 46-0 lead in the first half as the Sequoits scored on every possession.
"Everybody kind of concentrated," Glashagel said. "One of our goals to be better, just better concentration. We were just kind of out of it last week (vs. Grayslake Central). It was a lackluster game, here we got the juices going. We just got everything rolling."
Dino Kaliakmanis added 40 yards on 9 carries with rushing touchdowns of 1 and 8 yards and he caught a 42-yard pass. Joseph Neumann caught 2 touchdowns (12 and 52 yards), while Anthony Bowles and Douglas Schultz caught the others.
Reino Hill and Evan Day added a couple of rushing scores in the second half for the Sequoits.
Antioch's Jackson Gutke recovered a fumble early in the game that set up the Sequoits' first possession at the North Chicago 32-yard line.
"I feel like it was the start of our game," Gutke said. "It helped bring a lot of energy to the team. The defense starts the game to help the offense. We just want to bring the energy."
North Chicago (0-2, 0-2) got on the board in the final quarter, when Kyndel McKnight threw a 38-yard pass to Shalen James.
Antioch's Gavin Malicki and Jackson Gutke, right, contain North Chicago's Shalen James in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis loses his grip on the ball as he is tackled by North Chicago's Curtis Norwood and Kavion Myers, right, in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021. Antioch recovered the ball in the second quarter.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Athan Kaliakmanis throws a touchdown pass against North Chicago in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Andy Bowles is congratulated by teammates after a touchdown catch against North Chicago in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Gavin Calabrese and Jackson Gutke, left, track down a fumble by North Chicago's Kyndel McKnight in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Andy Bowles runs with the ball as North Chicago's Shalen James pursues in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis looks downfield for receiver Andy Bowles in a game against North Chicago in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021. Bowles caught a touchdown pass on the play.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Caden Jimenez surprises North Chicago with an onside kick in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021. Antioch recovered the ball.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Lucas Bentley tries to catch North Chicago's Jamar Mays in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Hunter Bukowy interrupts a pass for North Chicago's Jamar Mays in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Lucas Bentley slams into North Chicago quarterback Kyndel Mcknight as he releases a pass in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Joey Neumann and AJ Kutcher, left, celebrate Neumann's touchdown against North Chicago in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Antioch's Kahlil Anderson runs with the ball as teammate Joey Neumann blocks North Chicago's Javon Curry in a football game in Antioch Thursday, March 25, 2021.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com