Downers South holds off Addison Trail

There were several responses the Downers Grove South football team could have exhibited following two losses to start the season.

The Mustangs chose to buy into coach John Belskis' system and, following a 28-14 win Friday night over Addison Trail, they now have rattled off six straight wins and remain undefeated in the West Suburban Conference Gold with a game left to play next week at Morton.

"We don't want to share this thing," Belskis said. "We want to go over and win this thing outright. It's important for our seniors to finish undefeated in the league. I think this will be the fourth year in a row."

Hampered by injuries for most of the year lately, the skill-position players the Mustangs (6-2, 5-0) jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead. Junior cornerback Danny Leach, replacing starting running back Josh Williams on offense while Williams recovered from injury, scored on a 2-yard run to open the game before taking a punt return 84 yards to the end zone in the second quarter.

"It was exciting," Leach said. "I'm glad I had the opportunity to do something like that for my team. Yes, it's exhausting, but not many people get to do that and I'm glad I was able to do that."

Leach fielded the punt at his 16-yard line and found a gaping hole up the middle to run through with only the punter to beat, which required deft feet to jump over the outstretched arms of the would-be tackler.

"I made the split decision in my head (to go right) and when I did that I knew I had to get by the punter and I did it," Leach said with a smile.

The Mustangs handed Addison Trail (4-4, 4-1) its first conference loss with a suffocating defense that had to hold the Blazers from scoring in the first quarter after a snap over the head of punter Andy Hietpas turned into a first-and-goal at the 8-yard line.

Mustangs quarterback A.J. Simoncelli only passed for 78 yards in the air on the night, but 24 came on a touchdown to wide receiver Ryan Oruche with 22 second before half. Williams scored on a 29-yard run up the middle in the third quarter, finally finding the burst he needed to get through the hole, despite playing at less than 100 percent healthy.

"I didn't," Williams said when asked if he expected to play as much as he did. "I knew when my number was called I had to step up for my team."

Added Williams: "I was determined on that specific play, I'm gonna get in the en zone, nothing is stopping me."

The Blazers made it interesting in the fourth quarter, getting a 5-yard touchdown run from junior running back Anthony Messina and a 57-yard touchdown reception by Anthony Catanese from Trevor Bermingham on successive drives the first points the Mustangs have allowed in the Gold this year.

"We just couldn't get going on offense early," Catanese said. "Gotta give credit to the offensive line for giving time (on his touchdown). I gave (the corner) a move and beat him deep."

The Blazers recovered the onside kick following Catanese's score, but Bermingham was picked off on a fourth-down play and Downers South rolled time of the clock on its last two possessions.

Addison Trail travels to Leyden next week, still in position to play in the postseason and tie for first in conference.

"We need a good week of practice and have to get everyone going on the same page," Catanese said.

Downers South just hopes to get healthy enough to win next week and keep up the streak it is on.

"We're hoping," Belskis said. "We have to play Morton next week, and they're not going to lie down."