IHSA Playoffs Preview—Lane Hosts Neugua Valley, Amundsen Hosts Harlem, Payton Hosts ITW Speer

By Jack Lydon

The IHSA released its football playoff pairings Saturday evening. Five area teams made the playoffs: Lane Tech, Amundsen, Payton, Lincoln Park and Senn.

In 8A, the Lane Tech Champions (7-2, 6-1) will play the Neuqua Valley Wildcats (7-2, 5-1) from Naperville at Lane Stadium on Friday night in 6A football playoffs. Neuqua Valley comes out of the DuPage Valley Conference, perhaps the top conference in the state with powerhouse programs such as Naperville North, Naperville Central, Metea Valley, Waubonsie Valley and DeKalb. Neuqua has 3522 students, a little smaller than Lane with 4273. The Wildcats last made the playoffs in 2018; Lane in 2013.

Lane’s coach Dedrick Dewalt knows his team of Champions have their work cut out for them.  “We got a tough draw. I pretty familiar with what they are and who they are. They have been a pretty stout program for years. Very well coached. They have a history of winning. They play in a very tough conference probably tougher than the Catholic League in some respects,” Dewalt said.

“It will definitely be an electric atmosphere,” Dewalt said of Friday evening’s home game. “We’ll get the student body to support us. I am so happy for these kids. A lot of these kids have endured losing seasons for so long. It kind of makes everything worth it.”

“When you are playing teams like Neugua Valley, you get the total package. You get the athletes, you get the disciplined football player, you get the strong football player, you get the special teams, the outstanding coaching. You get everything,” Dewalt added.

Maybe so, but Lane’s double wing offense requires a special discipline to stop. Lane will add in plays its been practicing but don’t appear on film. Stopping the four plays that Lane runs can be taught but Neuqua Valley will see more than those four plays Friday.

“I have plenty of things up my sleeve that we were going to use [against Simeon], but I thought we were just going to hold for for next week,” said Dewalt.

In 6A playoffs, the Amundsen Vikings (7-2, 5-1) will play the Harlem Huskies (6-3, 5-2) from the Rockford area next Saturday. The final details of when and where still needs to be worked out but the game will probably be next Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Winnemac Park.

The Harlem Huskies from Machesney Park, Illinois, are something of a mystery to Chicago coaches and fans. Located just north of Rochford, Machesney Park has 22,000 residents, 1739 of whom are in Harlem High School. The ten team Northern Illinois Conference placed five teams in the playoff. Harlem is coached by Robert Moynihan, one time star defensive lineman at St. Viator High School who went on to play at Southeast Missouri State. In his three seasons, Moynihan’s Huskies have only lost five games.  

Amundsen comes into the IHSA playoffs for only the second time. The Vikings only previous appearance was in 2018. The Vikings put together an amazing season with only two non-conference tough losses to area schools Lane and DePaul Prep. Moynihan’s Harlem Huskies better not overlook the Vikings which features top area prospect wide receiver Adam Muench and talented linebacker John Norton.  

The Payton Grizzlies (7-2, 5-1) will host Noble/ITW Speer (6-3, 5-2) in the 5A playoffs at a time and place to be determined. The Grizzlies may have the best chance of any of the area teams to advance without having to face a suburban powerhouse. Although the Payton program struggles for numbers, they have very good players lead by senior wide receiver Charlie Newton and senior quarterback Kyle Osterman. Noble/ITW Speer is a charter school located on West Grand Avenue in Chicago. Speer finished second to Maria-Catalyst in CPS’s Red-Central Conference.

In 7A, the Lincoln Park Lions (7-2, 6-1) will face Downers Grove North Trojans (6-3, 3-3) from the West Suburban Silver Conference. The Trojans only losses to top teams in their conference: #4 York, #6 Glenbard West and 8A #14 seed Lyons. The talented Lincoln Park Lions were have their paws full.

In 6A, the Senn Bulldogs (5-4, 4-3) travel to Grayslake North to take on No. 3 seed Knights (8-1, 6-1) from the Northern Lake County Conference.

Lane Tech’s double wing offense approaches the line of scrimmage.

Lincoln Park Comes Back to Defeat Payton 19-7

The Lincoln Park Lions (3-1) came back in the fourth quarter to defeat Payton College Prep 19-7 at Lane on Saturday afternoon. The Lions trailed 7-6 midway through the fourth quarter and were struggling. The Payton Grizzlies were struggling too without two impact players and looked to runout the clock. It wasn’t to be. The Lions blocked a punt and recovered the ball deep in Grizzles territory with a chance to take the lead.

“That was a huge play. We told the guys that someone is going to have to make a play, especially on defense the way the game was going for us. I didn’t expect it to happen there but [we] blew it up and that was huge,” said Lincoln Park’s first year head coach Rick Ludwig.

“We were coming off a down year. Early in the game, things didn’t go our way. You could see some of the guys with their heads down. After [the blocked punt], they looked like a different team. That was the most excited that I have seen them. They were very confident. That’s a huge win for our program.”  

The Lions have a lot of personality and a lot of talent but they also made a lot of mistakes.

“That’s what we are trying to fix,” Ludwig continued.

“The only ones that can really beat us are ourselves and we are doing a very good job of doing that.”

That’s actually true. The Lions only defeat this year was a forfeit loss to Von Steuben in the first game of the year. Then followed two blowout wins against Gage Park and Kennedy. With thi win against Payton, Lincoln Park sits atop the CPS Red-West conference with an excellent chance to make the IHSA Playoffs despite some tough upcoming games against Noble/Bulls and Raby.

The Payton Grizzlies came into the game with an impressive 2-1 record and even in defeat, the Grizzlies played DePaul Prep tough in the season opener. Although coach Craig Knoche’s Grizzles squad is small, it is lead by seniors Charlie Newton, an expected Ivy League player, and Kyle Osterman. This combination leads Payton’s explosive passing attack.

Despite the offensive excellence on both teams, it was a defensive struggle in the first half because of penalties and turnovers. Lincoln Park’s Gus Wentland opened the scoring late in the first half on post pattern touchdown catch.

After the kickoff, Payton answered immediately with a simple dive play up the middle to Payton senior running back Morrison Giggetts. Running through a gaping hole in the line, Giggetts took the ball up the middle and weaved his way down the field for an 80 yard touchdown run. With the PAT, the Grizzlies went into the half time break with a 7-6 lead.

That’s where it stood through the third quarter and half the fourth quarter. Neither the Lions nor the Grizzlies could get anything going on offense. Payton’s efforts were severely hampered when key two-way starters Newton and Giggetts both left the game with injuries and did not return.

The block punt and new life breathed into the Lions. Senior running back Anius Finch scored on a nine-yard run to give the Lions a 12-7 lead.

After getting the ball back, on fourth down outside the 20-yard line, Lions’ sophomore wideout Jerrell Benson caught a slang pass at the ten, broke a tackle and stretched out to score a touchdown and put the game out of reach.

Payton senior announcer Theo Geovanis-Schwartz live-streamed the game on Payton’s You Tube channel, “Payton Sports.” The game will be available to watch on that channel as some point.

Payton Defeats Phillips JV Squad 21-14

This is a preview of my article that will appear in Wednesday’s Inside Publications.

By Jack Lydon

This COVID delayed and shortened season came to a merciful but satisfying end Saturday afternoon for the Walter Payton College Prep football team against a junior varsity squad put together by CPS powerhouse Phillips. The Grizzlies came up with a 21-14 win against a very talented Phillips squad.

Short and unpredictable though it was, this season showed me one can play simply for the love of the game. It showed me how enjoyable the simply chance to play can be.

Payton was scheduled to play Solorio Academy on Saturday afternoon. Solorio had to cancel the game for none COVID related reasons. Injuries depleted its team to a point where the coach did not feel it was safe to play a game with so few players.

“We were not supposed to play Phillips,” Payton coach Craig Knocke said.

“Monday Solorio informed us that they would not be able to play this weekend. So CPS sports [administration staff] did a great job finding us an opponent that we could [play].

“This is not Phillips’ number 1 squad. They played last night.”

Phillips first team played Taft on Friday (April 23). Rebounding from a 30-0 defeat at Loyola the preceding Friday, the Wildcats defeated at tough and talented Taft team 26-21.

“This [Phillips] team that’s got, I don’t know how many, but has it 2-1 varsity players [as we do]. So the kids that didn’t play in the Taft game, played us,” said Knocke.

“Phillips is a great program. The kids who are not starters on this team, will be next year. They have some really good players.”

Everybody rips CPS. But these coaches, staff and administration found a way for the young men to play a football game when it could so easily have just called it a season.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Grizzlies punted the ball back to Phillips. Payton senior linebacker and running back Joe Savaiano, who will play college football next year at Washington University, picked off at quick slant from Phillips junior quarterback Avante Savage and returned the ball into Phillips’ territory.

After a clunch third down catch by sophomore wide receiver Charlie Newton, senior running back Jack Dawson took the handoff at the five yard-line and ran it up the middle into the end zone for the games’ first score. Senior kicker Thomas Melecio added the point after.

On the first play of the second quarter, Payton added to its lead with a 60ish yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Eamon Glascott to senior wide receiver Danny O’Connell to push the Payton lead to 14-0.

There was no quit in Phillips talented junior varsity. Quarterback Avante Savage took a keeper up the middle and down the left sideline with 1:49 remaining the in second quarter to keep it close. Phillips added the two-point conversion making the score 14-8.

But the half was not done, Payton received the kickoff. On the second play, Glascott dropped back to pass.

“Basically, it was a slugo—slant go. I was able to get past the defender, it was a perfect throw. That’s what we work on in practice. It clearly paid off,” Payton sophomore wide receiver Charlie Newton said after the game.

He has a gift for understatement.

Newton bolted past the cornerback and got a few steps on him. Glascott’s pass was indeed perfect, dropping right into Newton outstretched arms on a dead sprint. Newton dodged the free safety coming over in coverage and raced toward the goal posts, adding a little flip into the endzone at the goal line which could not have made his coaches too happy.

Payton 21-8 at the half.

Phillips came out of the half a different team. The found energy they did not have in the first have. With this new found energy, the moved the ball up and down the field on Payton but could not punch it in.

Late in the third quarter, Payton fumbled a handoff to the running back. Phillips linebacker Jason Cannon Jr., picked up the ball and raced it into the endzone drawing the Wildcats to within a touchdown.

The teams traded long drives throughout the fourth quarter as the time ticked away.

Inside the last minute, Phillips marched the ball down to the Payton three-yard line. On third-down at the three, Phillips quarterback Savage fumbled the handoff to running back Rayshaun Thompson but recovered the ball.

On fourth and goal from the four, with the game on the line, Payton linebacker Joey Savaiano broke up Savage’s pass to Phillips wide-out Cohen Waters Jr.

Payton went on to win 21-14.

“It’s awesome to go out with a win. Not many seniors can say that. It’s either a state playoff loss or something of that nature. To end the season on a win is really special to me. [This] was a makeshift year. We only had three games,” said Payton quarterback Eamon Glascott.

“But I love coming out and playing football. High school football is the best. This is a great group of guys that might not be the biggest, fastest, strongest guys but these kids have a lot of heart.”

Both teams, their coaches and even CPS sports administration just wanted the play. No championships. Nothing really to play for except for the fun of it.

It was fun. This COVID season showed us the love of the game. Win or lose. Let’s just play.

Refreshing.

Payton Grizzles Chew Up Orr 44-8 in CPS Football Opener

This is a preview of my article that will be published in Wednesday’s Inside Publications Booster, Skyline and News-Star:

The Payton College Prep opening night 44-8 victory over Orr was the perfect metaphor this weird COVID football season: started late, ended early.

The preceding Schurz victory over Mather ran long. CPS sports administration cleared everyone out of the stadium and didn’t let in the players, coaches, staff, announcer Mark Farina and this reporter until 7:00 p.m. A few parents watched from outside the stadium at the south end of the field.

Once the game was on, there was plenty of action. After Orr took the opening kickoff, quarterback 6’1” senior Maqael Henderson ran a keeper on the first play for nine yards.

The Spartans moved the ball up the field but on a fourth and short they dropped back into punt formation. The Grizzlies were not buying it and did not send back a returner. So the Spartans punted. Grizzlies took over on their own 23 yard line.

On his first ever carry as a running back, Payton 6’0”, 205 lbs, senior Joey Savaiano took a hand off around end and sprinted up the sideline 77 yards to the season’s first score on the season’s first play from scrimmage for the Payton Grizzlies. The point after failed.

After taking Payton’s kickoff, the Spartans shifted tactics and began throwing. A couple of throws to Orr’s speedy split end, senior Jamarion Collins, failed to connect. Maquel Henderson has a big arm and he was getting protection. He was just overthrowing his receivers. Again, the Spartans punted.

Again, Joey Savaiano got the ball. On the second play of the series, splitting Spartan defenders, Savaiano sprinted up the middle of the field for another touchdown. This time 79 yards and a score. PAT was good.

With that, the first quarter ended. Grizzlies led 13-0.

Orr dressed only thirteen players of the fifteen on its roster. Almost the whole team had to play both ways. Of the fifteen, ten are sophomores.

Nevertheless, the game was not out-of-hand. If Orr could connect on a couple passes and stop Savaiano’s big runs, we would have a competitive contest.

It was not to be. Payton’s approach was methodical and balanced. The Grizzlies overwhelmed the undermanned Spartans in the second quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Payton moved the ball into Spartan territory. Payton’s 6’1” senior quarterback Eamon Glascott connected on a short out pass to senior wide receiver Danny O’Connell who turned up the sideline. In an acrobatic move worthy of an ESPN Sports Center highlight, O’Connell alluded a tackle from Orr’s Jamarion Collins, reached the ball out to the endzone pylon and scored the Grizzlies third touchdown of the game. PAT from senior kicker Thomas Melecio was good. Grizzlies 20, Spartans 0.

After an Orr turnover deep in their own end, Joey Savaiano added his third touchdown of the half on a ten yard run up the middle. Melecio added another PAT. Just that fast, Payton had pushed the led to 27-0.

Things got worse for Orr. Henderson through an interception. Payton had the ball and with 57 seconds left in the half and quickly moved the ball down to the Orr 15 yard line. A fade into the corner from Glascott to sophomore wide receiver Charlie Newton failed to connect.

Talented young kicker Melecio came on to tried to a 25 yard field goal. It was good as time expired. Grizzlies opened a 30-0 lead.

In the third period, Payton added touchdowns by junior 5’9” running back Jack Dawson on a short pass from Glascott and an impressive quick slant from Glascott to Charlie Newton. Newton ducked a tackle from Orr’s quarterback and free safety Henderson and sprinted up the middle of the field for the score.

Orr’s Henderson is just too good to be denied. With 5:00 minutes left in the third quarter, Henderson connected on a post route to Collins to get the Spartans on the board. Henderson added a two-point conversion on a keeper up the middle.

At the end of the third quarter, Payton led 44-8—then the lights went out.

Seriously. The stadium lights went off. Announcer Mark Farina suggested that the lights were on a timer and would quickly come back on.

After about 15 minutes of darkness, with the players standing around in the cold and a running clock for the fourth quarter, both coaches decided to call the game early. There would be no fourth quarter.

The first win of his head coaching career ended unceremoniously for Payton’s Craig Knoche. He wasn’t even able to get a photo of the scoreboard on his phone. But his tenure as head coach, started with two touchdowns on the first three plays.

“That’s Joey,” Knoche said, “and our offensive line. Really good players. We don’t have a lot of players but we have some really good players.”

“Joey is gonna play in college. He already knows that.”

Asked about his team’s goal, Knoche said, “We don’t really worry about that. I am just happy and excited that this group gets to play. That’s what we have tried to emphasize. I hope it came though in the game. Regardless of what would have happened in the game, the kids were excited to play. [We wanted to] make the most of the ones we have rather than focusing on the lack of nine [games].”

Grizzlies 44, Spartans 8.