Cohen’s 4 TDs propel Antioch past Grayslake North
After a couple seasons of exits in the state playoffs, Martin Cohen made sure that Antioch would continue on.
Cohen scored three touchdowns and threw for another score as the 8th-seeded Sequoits (8-2) knocked off Northern Lake County Conference rival Grayslake North 43-27 Friday in Antioch.
The two teams met previously in Week 6 in NLCC play in a game won by Antioch 22-18.
Cohen had touchdown runs of 69, 73 and 4 yards. He also threw a 33-yard option pass to Mason Bussone.
Cohen’s first two touchdown runs and a 32-yard interception return by Brady Rietschel put Antioch up 21-0.
Antioch led 35-14 in the fourth quarter when 9th-seeded Grayslake North (7-3) made a late challenge. Landon Dovel, who tallied three touchdowns, scored on a pair of runs to cut the lead to 35-27 with just over two minutes to play.
But Antioch, who will play at defending Class 6A state champion Cary-Grove next week, scored a late touchdown to put the game away.
Hoffman Estates 30, Lincoln Park 14: Hoffman Estates (7-3) made its trip to Chicago a profitable one. The Hawks, who were making their fourth consecutive playoff appearance, won their opener for the third time in knocking off Lincoln Park from the Chicago Public League.
Hoffman, which is seeded 25th in 7A, jumped all over the 8th-seeded Lions, which had allowed just 44 points this season.
“We had lots of guys, especially guys who haven’t seen a lot of time, step up for us tonight,” Hoffman Estates coach Tim Heyse said. “It shows that these guys have put the work in all season.”
Hoffman led 9-7 at the half on a Nate Cleveland touchdown run and a safety off a bad snap on a punt. The Hawks then pulled away in the second half.
Cleveland had a touchdown run and then threw to Jeremy Hardin for a touchdown. Hrdun would later get an interception. That set up a touchdown run by JMari Jackson, who also had a pair of long runs.
Hoffman Estates will play at Lincoln-Way Central next weekend.
Wauconda 58, Fenton 7: The Bulldogs (8-2) won their fourth consecutive playoff opener by rolling over Fenton. Wauconda, which is seeded fifth in Class 6A, built a 38-0 lead late in the first half.
Logan Olsen threw a trio of touchdown passes and ran for another. Jackson Rudolph caught one of those touchdown passes and ran for another score. Luke Sickmeier and Nick Ori each had touchdown catches. Cole Korycanek, Jacob Hawley and Cooper Karaszewski each had touchdown runs for Wauconda which advances to play at Belvedere North next weekend.
“We played well,” Wauconda coach Chris Prostka said. “We ran the ball well and we were physical. We obviously spread the ball around and I didn’t realize that so many different players scored.”
Fenton (6-4), which was seeded 12th, was making its first playoff appearance since 2013.