Spizzirri powers Conant past Schaumburg as Cougars get back on track

Following a lopsided loss to Barrington last weekend, it would have been easy to write off Conant’s 5-0 start to the season.

The upstart Cougars had dropped two straight Mid-Suburban West contests and coach Anthony Donatucci’s squad desperately needed a response.

Fortunately, that is exactly what Jackson Spizzirri provided, as he ran for a career-high five touchdowns and the Cougars (6-2, 2-2) got back on track with a 44-24 home win over Schaumburg on Friday.

“We went back to just telling our kids they got to be themselves,” said Donatucci. “The kids responded in a way of coming together and making sure that they were already preparing for this game.”

Since taking the job at Conant in 2023, Donatucci has been steadily rebuilding the program.

After a winless season in 2024, the Cougars shifted to the Wing-T last year. Things have begun to click since the change.

Spizzirri, a two-way standout at fullback and linebacker, is a major reason behind the turnaround.

“He will run through a wall for anybody,” said Donatucci. “It’s not about him. He puts everything out there for everybody else around him … it's never about him."

A 175-pound regional champion and state qualifier on the wrestling mat last winter, the senior brings a grappler’s mentality to the gridiron.

His wrestling background suits Donatucci’s throwback offense perfectly.

Spizzirri wears opponents down throughout the game and is able to routinely out leverage defenders at the goal line.

“I feel like this position was made for me,” said Spizzirri. “I just love playing it. I love getting my head down, getting my shoulders out, and bring it into guys.”

That was evident Friday as he helped Conant climb out of an early hole.

Schaumburg (1-7, 0-4) struck first when Dylan Ramirez found Mason Heydecker from 47 yards out on its first possession.

Spizzirri responded by finding the end zone for a 12-yard score. He followed it up with another goal line touchdown a few possessions later.

This time, Donatucci sent his fullback out to punch in a two-point conversion that set the tone for the rest of the night.

“We just went for it because we were just moving the ball,” said Donatucci. “We were just like, let's keep it going.”

Conant made it 23-10 with a 28-yard Spizzirri run and another two-point conversion before the half.

Cougars quarterback Tyler Marchese got into the scrum with a one-yard score early in the third.

Spizzirri made it 38-17 a few moments later. He added touchdown number five midway through the fourth quarter.

“I just love that our linemen can get me there,” said Spizzirri. “I'm running through gaps that are this big — I can't do it without my line.”

The vibes are high as the Cougars prepare for playoff football for the first time since 2022.

“We just need to play our best football,” said Spizzirri.

Conant will seek a potential first-round bye when it closes the regular season at Hoffman Estates next Friday.