Purcell, Maine South continue dominance in New Trier series

The Old Oaken Bucket is one of the oldest college football rivalry trophies. It pits teams from Indiana and Purdue battling for the trophy that was established in 1925.

On Thursday in Northfield, high school football fans got a possible preview of the quarterbacks that could be playing for that.

Maine South quarterback Jameson Purcell, who is committed to Indiana, battled against New Trier’s Jackie Ryder, who is committed to Purdue. And if Thursday’s preview was any indication, the next four years will be exhilarating.

Purcell threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 85 yards and another touchdown as Maine South beat the Trevians 35-28.

“We knew there was going to be a hype,” said Purcell, who is a four-star recruit. “And he has played pretty well. I’ve got to know him a little bit and he is a good kid. I think it was pretty cool that this was a preview for when we see each other in college. But I am really happy how we played tonight. We got the win and that is what we needed.”

Ryder would finish with a rushing touchdown and 188 passing yards and two touchdown passes, including a scoring pass with 1:41 to play. But Maine South (3-1, 1-0) would receiver the onside kick and run out the clock.

It was the 11th consecutive win for the Hawks over New Trier and their 25th in 26 games played.

“This was a Thursday night special,” Maine South coach Dave Inserra said. “It was a shootout (of) a couple of high-powered offenses. Both teams could run it too. We don’t take anyone lightly. We prepare the same way.”

Purcell and Maine South scored the first three times they had the ball on offense to take a 21-7 lead

Purcell fired a 53-yard touchdown pass to Syracuse-bound Matt Schelenhardt to make it 7-0. Purcell then came back and fired an 18-yard scoring strike to Keaton Vitel to make it 14-0.

Ryder brought the Trevians within a touchdown. The three-star recruit drove his team 78 yards with Throy Nightengale scoring on a fourth down one-yard run to make it 14-7.

Purcell then flew the Hawks right back down the field connecting with Elliott Arteta on a 31-yard pass. Two plays later, Schlenhardt would score on a one-yard run to make it 21-7.

New Trier (3-1, 0-1) made things interesting to start the second half as Ryder scored on a five-yard run to make 21-14.

But just 18 seconds later Vitel changed all the momentum. The junior took the ensuing kickoff and raced 98 yards for a touchdown to give the Hawks breathing room again.

“They were telling me to take it off toward our sideline,” Vitel said. “I just waited and was patient. Then I had some blocks and just took off.”

Purcell would add a touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the Hawks up 35-21.

That extra score was the difference as the Trevians scored near the end of the game.