Larkin a win away from playoffs after big win
Two down, one to go as Larkin continues its push for the playoffs. And the one remaining is a huge one.
The Royals blew by East Aurora 58-14 Friday night at muddy Memorial Field, setting up a key showdown with rival South Elgin next week. Just two weeks ago, Larkin (5-3 overall, 2-3 Upstate Eight) teetered on the edge of the playoff picture with a .500 record, but a pair of dominating wins have put a postseason berth within its grasp.
Win at home next week, and the Royals go on. Lose, and it comes down to a tiebreaker - one that Larkin would have a difficult time winning due to its low number of playoff points.
Larkin coach Matt Gehrig said a 5-4 record "might not do it. It probably won't." And in any case, he doesn't want it to come down to that.
"Our goal right now is just to beat South Elgin," Gehrig said. "We don't want to lose to South Elgin and make the playoffs. We want to win this next game."
The Royals will certainly enter with momentum, having won their past two games by a combined score of 105-20. Against East Aurora, they led 44-6 by halftime and never let up.
Larkin did most of its work on the ground, running for over 400 yards. Star running back Jalen Williams piled up 250 yards and three first-half touchdowns, and fullback Sylvester Smith added another 153 yards and two scores. Williams now has 1,565 yards for the season.
"It's really coming along," said Royals senior lineman Cody Schue, who also recovered two fumbles on defense. "We started out slow, but our line is starting to click now. . . . It's just fun. It's fun blocking with them."
In addition to the big nights by Williams and Smith, Trevor Whitehead scored on a 15-yard reverse to start the second quarter, Alex Wahl caught an 8-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Newquist, and Newquist scored on a 6-yard scramble of his own to cap the scoring in the fourth quarter.
East Aurora, which fell to 0-8 overall and 0-5 in conference play, got a 68-yard run from quarterback Bryan Robinson off an option play and a fourth-quarter touchdown run by Tinard Thompson. The Tomcats had only five first downs and 97 yards of total offense.
Larkin won't be resting on its victory for long, though. Schue said the team was going to be right back at practice in full pads and helmets today as it gets ready for the showdown with South Elgin.
Gehrig said his team is focused, and he wants to be sure they're completely ready.
"We're going to have to control the line of scrimmage (against South Elgin) and respond and answer back to any big plays they might make," Gehrig said. "They're throwing the football very well this year."