Barrington keeps win streak going into playoffs with opening-round victory against Waubonsie Valley

Lamar Osterhues and Barrington kept the train running Friday.

Osterhues rushed for 258 yards and two touchdowns as Barrington piled up 366 yards on the ground. That helped lead Barrington to its sixth win in a row as the Broncos derailed Waubonsie Valley 38-0 in the opening round of the Class 8A playoffs.

Barrington (6-4), seeded 24th, will play at ninth-seeded Sandburg (7-2) in the first round of the playoffs next weekend. It was the fourth shutout of the season for the Broncos and their second in a row.

“I am really proud of how we have turned things around the last six games of the season,” said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez, whose team lost its first four games of the season.

“There was a lot of growth happening during some tough games that people couldn’t see. But we could. And I am proud of our coaches knowing that there was something better around the corner. And now we get a chance to play another week.”

Osterhues used his speed and his ability to run the ball inside and then spring to the outside to keep 41st seed Waubonsie Valley (3-7) on its heels the entire game.

“It is always a great atmosphere when it’s playoff football,” said Osterhues, who had touchdown runs of 37 and 67 yards.

“Then to come out and win and get another week is just a great feeling. It was a good rushing day. I give credit to my offensive line. If there was no O-line, I couldn’t have the opportunities that I had.”

Sanchez, who started Osterhues as a freshman in his first game against Warren in the state playoffs two years ago, said Osterhues is special.

“He is just amazing,” Sanchez said. “He is a special talent. He has been like that from when he first hit the field here.”

Osterhues, along with Vince Costa (five carries, 78 yards) had plenty of room to run the ball all evening. That was due to linemen Jack Kavanagh, Francisco Garcia, Jack Van Black, Malcolm George and Finn Edstrom making life easier for both backs.

“It’s great to play with Lamar,” said Costa, who had touchdown runs of five, 16 and 19 yards.

“He just brings so much distraction to our opponents. When we motion him out to receiver, it confuses them and opens things up for me.”

Barrington got its final score on a 30-yard field goal from Evan Beals.

Barrington’s defense kept Waubonsie from getting productive drives off the ground. Led by Kane Switski, Cru Lucier, Jacob Patno, Donovan Bjerregaard-Dionne, Cooper Parkinson, Owen Nichols and Jonathan Steiner, Barrington limited the Warriors to 66 rushing yards.

Even with the loss, Waubonsie Valley coach Adam Pucylowski was still all smiles after the game. He said he likes the new playoff format and it will be good for his program.

“We got an opportunity to get in the playoffs and play a team like Barrington,” Pucylowski said. “It gave us an extra week of practice and we brought a lot of kids up so we can spend an extra week of practice with the freshmen and sophomores. And hopefully, that will mean we can get another game one day for our seniors.”