IC Catholic shakes off slow start, routs Johnsburg to earn rematch at Byron

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how long it takes for a team to get going. It will find a way to win in dominant fashion all the same.

That was the case for IC Catholic Prep during its Class 3A second-round game against Johnsburg on Saturday in Elmhurst. After a scoreless first quarter, it scored touchdowns on six consecutive possessions to earn a 42-7 victory and a quarterfinals rematch at undefeated Byron, which eliminated IC Catholic last year en route to the state championship.

“We want our percentage of execution to be high,” said IC Catholic Prep coach Bill Krefft. “And so, sometimes things don't go your way, and you gotta respond in football games. That kind of shows you what you are as a team. And a lot of respect to them in coming out and fighting us like they did.”

The Knights (10-1) and Skyhawks (8-3) traded turnovers on their opening possessions, but nothing came of either. The subsequent first-quarter possessions didn’t amount to anything either, and the visiting Skyhawks went to their sidelines at the end of the frame.

The scoring barrage began when Jake Yost, playing quarterback for IC Catholic Prep in place of the injured Nate Lang, ran the ball into the end zone. On the next possession, Jakobe Baldwin, who had an 85-yard touchdown called back one quarter earlier, broke free for a 65-yard score.

From there, Yost threw touchdown passes on three consecutive possessions for a combined 140 of his 190 yards on the day. Those passes, which went to Anthony Carroccio, Jaden Penna and Grant Bowen, gave the Knights a 35-0 halftime lead.

“I think they were super focused on Kobe because Kobe's a monster,” said Yost, who has been teammates with Baldwin since seventh grade. “And they just kind of fell asleep a little bit.”

Baldwin’s last of his 19 carries was for a 2-yard touchdown on the first possession of the third quarter. With the last of Baldwin’s 197 yards gained on the score, the running clock was put into effect, sending Baldwin and other starters to the bench the rest of the way.

IC Catholic Prep’s defense came to play, too. Penna recovered a fumble at the 5-yard line on the game’s first possession, which turned out to be Johnsburg’s best scoring opportunity until the contest had long been decided. Bowen had an interception, as did Donnel Sallis and Jalen Banks.

“We have a great team, a lot of talent on the field,” Bowen said. “So even though we didn't do our job with that first drive, we still dominated and came back.”

Johnsburg relied on quarterback Chase Schnurr for most of its ball movement. Completing 14 of 26 passes for 181 yards, he ultimately spoiled the shutout bid on his final completion when he threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Hansen with 5:19 remaining.

“That's a good team,” Krefft said. “When you play good football teams, it doesn't always go easy.”