Back on familiar ground, Dey runs for 234 yards as Carmel rolls past Antioch
Carmel running back Donovan Dey is a Grayslake native, so he felt eight at home playing in Antioch for Saturday's Class 5A playoff game.
"I've been playing these guys for years, this exact field for years," Dey said. "So it means a lot. I used to play for the Lake Villa Timberwolves, they're no longer together."
Dey rushed for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns on just 16 carries as Carmel rolled to a 50-7 victory. The Corsairs (10-1) will host Nazareth next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the school's first quarterfinal game since 2010.
Carmel quarterback Johnny Weber was also close to home, but he lives across the border in Bristol, Wis. Weber, a Southeast Missouri State commit, threw for 79 yards and 3 touchdowns. Weber described his house as out in the country on 10 acres.
"I like the house we live in," Weber said. "We don't have a bunch of neighbors. Not in a neighborhood. I think one of the better things that ever happened to me is where we live. My father outdid himself."
Antioch came into this game undefeated, but doesn't face the same level of competition in the Northern Lake County Conference. Carmel recovered a fumble on the second play of the game and put this one away early.
The first touchdown was an 8-yard pass to sophomore Kai Owens. After a three-and-out, Dey covered a 53-yard drive all by himself on four carries. Carmel's third possession lasted just one play, a 61-yard dash by Dey to make it 21-0 late in the first quarter.
"We just played with passion, that's all," Dey said. "The most important thing, just put our foot on their throats and keep it there the whole game."
The Corsairs' massive offensive line of Will Meier, Kristian Coleman, Logan Zupancic, Jackson Reasoner and Tommy Lamberti opened up gaping holes, especially early in the game. Carmel's offensive line coach is former Bears center Olin Kreutz.
"They've done a great job all year," Carmel coach Jason McKie said of the offensive linemen. "They're all on the same page, they're physical guys, they're smart. We throw a lot of stuff at them, they execute at a high level. I've got a great offensive line coach, so they have good fundamentals."
Added Weber, "A bunch of dudes is what I like to call them. There's not much more to say than they put their work in day in and day out with coach Kreutz."
Kyle Lynch had a nice day at linebacker, then also filled in for Dey to deliver a 36-yard TD run in the second quarter. Torey French and Jack Greiber also had touchdown catches and highly-regarded freshman QB Trae Taylor saw some action in the fourth quarter.
After a couple of short drives, Antioch's offense was able to move the ball. The Sequoits had a 17-play drive that stalled at the 19-yard line, then scored late in the second quarter on a 3-yard run by junior Martin Cohen.
Senior RB Nick Day finished a stellar career with 65 yards on 20 carries, while Cohen added 47 yards. Under coach Brian Glashagel, a former Carmel assistant, this was Antioch's fifth 9-0 regular season since 2008 and the fifth time reaching the second round of the playoffs.