Low score, high drama as Wheaton North falls short against Fenwick

The quarterfinal playoff game between Wheaton North and Fenwick featured a surprising amount of drama, considering neither side scored during the final 34 minutes.

The Falcons, coming off a huge upset of Geneva last week, kept it close, threatened several times, but came up short 14-7. Fenwick (9-3), the defending Class 6A champ, will face Harlem in next week's semifinals.

“They were one of the best-coached teams we've seen all year,” Fenwick coach Matt Battaglia said of Wheaton North. “We knew they were playing with a lot of confidence, we knew it would be a challenge. Our team found a way to protect the ball and ice the game when we needed to.”

In a close contest, it usually helps to have a home-run hitter on your side. Fenwick's Iowa commit, Jake Thies, played the role of Kyle Schwarber in this one. Ultimately, the difference was Thies' 55-yard touchdown run around right end with 10:33 left in the second quarter.

“It was fourth and one, just thinking get this first down for our team, move the chains,” Thies said. “Then I get to the outside, I see our receivers blocking downfield for me, which is a huge credit to them. Without them, plays like that don't turn into home runs.”

While the scoreboard didn't change, the game featured several twists and turns. Wheaton North (8-4) lost top rusher Mac Murray to an ankle injury in the third quarter, He ran for 93 yards on 19 carries before leaving, and the Falcons were using sophomore Grant Neibch at quarterback, after losing his older brother Burke to an injury at midseason.

Fenwick threatened to stretch the lead a few times, but the Falcons got a fourth-down stop in their own territory, and early in the fourth quarter, Adam Schilling intercepted a pass over the middle, returning it to midfield.

That set up the first of several pivotal plays. With a first down at the Fenwick 21-yard line, Neibch was sacked by Friars safety Cormac Monahan for an 11-yard loss. Rather than go for it on fourth-and-21 a few plays later, Wheaton North decided to punt and pinned Fenwich at the four-yard line.

That decision nearly paid off. The Falcons forced a punt and Johnny Clayton delivered a brilliant return all the way to Fenwick's 16-yard line, but it came back due to a holding penalty.

Still, Neibch connected with Clayton for a 22-yard pass play. But on second down at the Friars' 27-yard line, Neibch's pass over the middle was deflected by a defensive back and intercepted by Tommy Quinn with 1:18 left.

Wheaton North used its timeouts, which led to one more dramatic moment. Fenwick decided to go for it on fourth-and-one at its own 24, but Thies gained eight and the Friars could kneel it out.

“It's fourth and one in that situation, we've got the best player in the state, you've got to hand him the ball,” Battaglia said.

The Falcons' plan of a slow-paced ground game was nearly successful. After Fenwick's second touchdown, Murray got nine straight carries, gaining 53 yards, before the offense ultimately failed on fourth-and-four. The Falcons tried to go as far as Murray could carry them.

“I've never liked anything more,” Murray said, while leaning on crutches. “I love getting the ball in my hands and I loved that my coaching staff trusted me to make plays, and just everybody in front of me. My offensive linemen and tight ends, I don't know why they like me so much, but they're absolutely brilliant.”

Schilling finished high school by making a number of big plays on both sides of the ball.

“This was the best season of my life,” he said. “Love these guys. I won't forget these guys. Nobody believed in us but us. It's a testament to this team, the program, the coaches. All that mattered to us was making a run.”