Wheaton Academy secures playoff bid with win vs. St. Edward
There was no wiping the smile off Miles Vander Klok's face.
Wheaton Academy's junior wide receiver-defensive back put on a dazzling display on both sides of the football during the Warriors' 44-30 Metro Suburban Blue victory over St. Edward on Friday night in West Chicago.
Vander Klok scored 4 touchdowns within an 8-minute, 37-second span to help the Warriors (6-3, 2-3) turn a 14-13 deficit late in the first half into a 38-14 lead after three quarters.
His 19-yard touchdown catch from sophomore quarterback Ben Thorson on a fourth-and-5 play with 21 seconds remaining in the second quarter put the Warriors on top for good at 20-14.
"That gave us a lot of momentum," Vander Klok said. "We were looking good in the first half, but that final push right before the buzzer set us over the top."
The third quarter was even better for Vander Klok and the Warriors.
On the fourth play of the second half, Wheaton Academy used a little trickery; Harrison Taylor tossed a 29-yard halfback option touchdown pass to Vander Klok and the Warriors extended their lead to 26-14.
Just 22 seconds later, Vander Klok came through on defense when his 40-yard interception return for a touchdown made it 32-14.
"That was crazy," Vander Klok said. "My coaches put me in a good position to break on the ball and I just ran as fast as I could."
With 3:45 left in the third quarter, Thorson, who threw for 256 yards, connected with Vander Klok on a 35-yard TD pass as the Warriors increased their lead to 38-14.
"Miles had a great game," said Warriors coach Brad Thornton. "I'm really proud of these guys and their effort. This was like a playoff game tonight."
With the win the Warriors clinched a playoff berth for a school-record second consecutive season.
"We're really excited where we're headed," Vander Klok said. "This is the best feeling in the world."
"Last year we were happy to get in and be there," Thornton said. "This year that feeling is gone. We're not done yet."
Thorson's fourth TD pass of the game was a 31-yard strike to Taylor early in the fourth quarter.
"That's probably the best game he has played all year," Thornton said of Thorson. "He has grown every game this year."
St. Edward (4-5, 0-5), shooting for a playoff berth for the fourth straight season, was eliminated following the loss.
Seniors James Harkins, Nolan Theriault, Sam Reedy and Dominic Hartke played their final game for the Green Wave.
"Our kids gave everything they had," said St. Edward coach Mike Rolando. "Our four seniors - they're awesome. They were trying to help these young guys up to speed and trying to carry on the tradition of the program."
Junior quarterback Dylan Mlinarich completed 28 of 44 passes for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns for St. Edward.