VH can't quite keep pace with Richards
Vernon Hills' football team didn't want to back down against one of the best teams in Class 6A on Friday night.
The 16th-seeded Cougars were right with the top-seeded Richards into the third quarter before the Bulldogs splashed away with a 35-13 victory in the Class 6A playoffs
Vernon Hills freshman DeVaris Daniels had both his team's scores, one on a pass reception and the other on a kickoff return.
"We've competed all year with everybody we've played against," Vernon Hills coach Terry Monken said. "It's a good group and we're a couple of plays away from 8-1 this year. We had 6 games decided on the last few minutes of the game.
"We came down here to play, battle and see what happens. We played very hard and if the ball bounced our way, then we could've beaten them."
Vernon Hills (5-5) had a great opportunity, starting the second half down 21-13 against Richards (10-0).
Cougars kicker Brian Smith recovered an on-side kick at the Bulldogs' 48-yard line.
Then Vernon Hills moved the ball down to the Richards 12-yard line with the intention of tying the game. But the Cougars were stalled because of an 11-yard loss and an incompletion, after which they gave up the ball on downs.
"Richards has a heck of a defense," Monken said. "We've been running the ball well all year and they shut us down. It would have been nice to get it. We battled for it, but you hate to end the season this early. We battled our butts all year and you can't ask the kids for more than they did for all season."
The Bulldogs took over the ball and drove down the field as quarterback Tommie Thomas (18 carries, 80 yards and 3 touchdown runs) scored on a 21-yard keeper giving Richards a 27-13 advantage with 3:15 left in the third quarter.
Richards added another score with two-second left when Jason Caliendo scored on a 35-yard interception return.
"Vernon Hills and Tony Monken did a great job," Richards coach Gary Korhonen said. "Kids read and thought they could win easily. It's all a mindset. Vernon Hills did a great job with the conditions (rain).
"Absolutely, I was nervous with them coming back and I was nervous until there was zero's on the clock. We made a great stand against them done there (near the end zone). Our defense has been our forte all season long."
Bulldogs running back Lamar Harvey (18 carries, 180 yards) scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 16-yard scamper which put Richards ahead 21-13 with 5:23 left in the second quarter.
Daniels (3 catches, 77 yards) put the Cougars on top early with a 58-yard touchdown reception from quarterback PJ Marsek for a 7-0 lead with 10:27 remaining in the opening quarter.
"I'm expected to make plays when the plays are called for me," Daniels said. "You've got to be focused and do what you can do helping the team to win.
"I thought we were off to a great start and got the team rolling. But things didn't work out that way."
The Bulldogs' Thomas had rushing touchdowns from a yard and 14 yards which put Richards ahead 13-7.
Then, Daniels tied the game up on the ensuing kick-off going 82 yards with 2:53 left in the first.