Stagg coach Colt Nero and his players enjoy snapping a 23-game losing streak Friday night. Photo by Stagg High School
Pigskin Roundup: 23-skidoo — Stagg losing streak is history after season-opening win over Reavis
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
The boss got it right.
Before the Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education Meeting on Aug. 25, Stagg Principal Eric Olsen talked to a news reporter about the coming football season. Olsen said the Chargers would soon snap their 23-game losing streak dating back to Week 2 of the 2019 season.
Twenty-four later, the Chargers vanquished that skid with a season-opening 14-8 victory over Reavis in Palos Hills.
The win gave Colt Nero his first as the Chargers head coach, and he was happy the team could savor a victory as they celebrated after the game.
“Our team has put in a ton of work throughout the offseason,” he said “They have done a lot of stuff that they haven’t done in the past. We’re seeing now that the work is paying off.”
The Chargers (1-0) took a 14-0 halftime lead and Reavis (0-1) scored in the fourth quarter to slice the lead to six. But Stagg was able to mount a clock-milking drive to end the game.
Lebarion Gilmore, who received an offer from South Dakota and has drawn interest from Akron and Miami (Ohio), thew touchdown passes to Justin Obradovich and Anthony Sukalo.
“We felt we were in control the whole game,” he said. “It was good to see that.”
The program is on the upswing and not just because of this win. The Chargers have bolstered the roster by more than 100%, going from the mid-30s to 70 players. That’s not easy to do with a team that hadn’t won a game since before the pandemic.
“We were vocal and willing to build relationships,” Nero said. “We have one of the youngest coaching staffs in the state of Illinois. We do a good job of going in the halls and talking with kids.
“I will also say this, our kids have done a fantastic job of getting their friends to come out. They are having a good time and bought in to what we’ve been preaching and it’s cool to see this come full circle because my first two years, we didn’t have the depth to do much.”
The Chargers visit Oak Lawn (1-0) Friday in a non-conference battle of Week 1 winners.
South Suburban Red
Argo’s Johnny Walker had 156 yards on 19 carries in a 32-14 victory over Joliet Central. Davonte Evans hauled down five passes for 118 yards. Argo (1-0) had 418 yards of offense and allowed just 165.
Oak Lawn topped Tinley Park 21-7 as receiver Eduardo Chiquito had 100 yards from scrimmage and a pair of touchdowns.
Evergreen Park opened the season with a 40-0 triumph over Manteno.
Richards was beaten 30-2 by Morgan Park at Gately Stadium in Chicago.
CCL/ESCC
Ryan Hartz, who replaced graduated star quarterback Jack Lausch, was 15 of 29 for 168 yards and three touchdowns and added a run for 20 yards in Brother Rice’s 46-0 season-opening victory over Hillcrest Friday night in Chicago. Randall Nauden had 66 yards on the ground as 10 Crusaders combined to run 30 times for 205 yards against the Hawks.
St. Laurence travelled to the Quad Cities and dropped a 27-21 decision to Moline. Aaron Ball racked up 101 yards and quarterback Danny Fitzpatrick threw for 147 yards. The Vikings (0-1) host Brooks in what will be the first game on the new turf at Kavanaugh Field in Burbank.
St. Viator spoiled new De La Salle coach Marty Quinn’s debut with a 35-7 win over the Meteors. David Coffey had a 93-yard kickoff return for the Meteors’ lone score. Myles Greene had two interceptions for De La Salle (0-1).
Chicago Public League
Curie opened the season with a 14-6 triumph over Mather, scoring with 1:50 left in the game.
Kennedy beat Roosevelt, 27-14.
Solorio Academy dropped a 6-0 decision to Agricultural Science.
Back of the Yards had a rough go with a 60-8 loss to Phoenix.
Lindblom beat Catalyst-Maria, 14-0.
Grayslake Central beat Hubbard, 47-0.
West Suburban
Jack Chaney ran for 228 yards and four touchdowns while Travis Stamm had six catches for 105 yards to lead Lyons to a wild 38-35 road victory over Buffalo Grove.
Metro Suburban
Chicago Christian jumpstarted the season with a 19-0 victory over Sullivan. Zeke Goble returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Riverside-Brookfield knocked off Morton, 35-28. Morton’s Julian Hernandez threw for 240 yards.
Southwest Suburban Conference
Sandburg’s Christian Evans threw three touchdown passes in a 56-20 road loss to Prospect. Prospect scored 50 points in the first half. Sandburg hosts Glenbrook South Friday, a team that knocked off Rolling Meadows, 51-21.
Elsewhere in the SWSC, Bolingbrook freshman Jonas Williams made one of the most spectacular debuts in Illinois history, throwing for 407 yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-12 win over Minooka.
Local News
Ease off vax regs, aldermen ask
Spread the loveQuinn, Burke, Tabares say regs ‘cripple’ businesses By Tim Hadac With numbers of newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases falling across the city, the three aldermen serving Clearing and Garfield Ridge are among 11 City Council members who last week called on Chicago Department of Public Health Allison Arwady, M.D. to rescind a pandemic regulation…
Del Galdo named Super Lawyer for 12th straight year
Spread the loveLauded by suburban mayors for skills From staff reports A national legal magazine is out with its 2022 list of best Illinois lawyers and tapped eight Chicago-area attorneys as the state’s “super” local government lawyers–including Berwyn-based attorney Michael Del Galdo, a recognition that drew praise from several suburban Cook County mayors. “Super Lawyers” magazine,…
They had my back when I was stuck
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com We’ve dug out from snowmagedon, and I want to personally thank the three people on 61st Street who came to my rescue when I got stuck in the snow. I was nervous and I was making all the mistakes a…
Summit wants to hear from residents
Spread the loveThe Village of Summit is looking to get input from its residents on a variety of issues. Summit, in partnership with Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority, is undertaking a Community Needs Assessment survey as a part of the Homes for a Changing Region…
Lyons Township to co-sponsor St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Countryside
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The annual Countryside St. Patrick’s Day Parade is getting a boost from the Township of Lyons. The township board unanimously approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the city’s popular event. “We have traditionally sponsored this event,” Township Supervisor Christopher Getty said at the board’s Feb. 8 meeting. “Although we have not…
Lyons man ‘accomplished something’ with Kilimanjaro climb
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Stephan Alheim of Lyons learned a lot about himself while making the 19,341-foot climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. He learned preparation is important, especially when it comes to breathing properly. He also learned to have faith in the climbing guides. And he learned to always bring…
Lyons to raise water rate as Chicago charges more
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch With its hand forced by Chicago, the Lyons Village Board has unanimously approved an increase in the water rate. The new rates will take effect March 1. Lyons has no choice but to raise the rate since Chicago raised the rate it charges water suppliers that sell water to the…
2 hurt in Justice house fire
Spread the love By Carol McGowan Two adults were taken to the hospital in good condition, with possible smoke inhalation, after a house fire at 8217 S. 85th Court in Justice last Thursday. The Roberts Park Fire Protection District was called to the fire just before 12:30 in the afternoon on February 10. Firefighters arrived…
Girls Bowling: Shepard, Stagg both heading to first state finals
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent The Stagg and Shepard girls bowling teams had coming into sectional weekend never advanced to the IHSA state finals. But with an opportunity to do that last week, both squads stepped up with great performances down the stretch and punched their tickets to the state finals. The Chargers and…
Mt. Carmel tops Rice in big Blue battle
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent On a night when Mount Carmel honored one of its all-time best point guards — retiring the jersey of former Caravan and Illinois star Tracy Abrams at halftime — two of the Chicago Catholic League’s current top point guards staged an epic duel. Brother Rice junior Ahmed Henderson scored…
Neighbors
Southwest Symphony presents ‘American Song Book’
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Southwest Symphony Orchestra will perform “The American Song Book” this weekend at Trinity College in Palos Heights. The performance will feature Grammy nominated Helen Welch under the direction of David Crane at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Auditorium. Welch will perform some of America’s best loved classics.…
Shoppers welcome back Evergreen Park Farmers Market
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Rain was forecast for the morning of May 2, but nothing could dampen the spirits of customers who dropped by the Evergreen Park Farmers Market. The large crowd that attended were instead greeted with mostly sunny skies. Beth Novotney, director of the Evergreen Park Office of Citizen Services that oversees…
Evergreen Park recognizes police for valor
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The Evergreen Park police have been cited for valor after several key arrests that occurred the past couple of months. Police Chief Michael Saunders requested commendations for the officers during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night. Mayor Kelly Burke and the board applauded the efforts of the force.…
Hickory Hills police bid adieu and say welcome
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam The Hickory Hills Police Department bid a fond farewell to Lieutenant Glenn Tienstra and welcomed new Officer Daniel Balzhiser. On a memorable Thursday evening, April 25, city hall was filled with the warmth of community family, friends, officers, and council members, all gathered to joyfully celebrate Officer Balzhiser and respectfully…
Mother Mac unveils new lights and scoreboard
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Across the nation, women’s sports are on the rise in terms of viewership, enthusiasm, sponsorship and excitement. Mother McAuley is no stranger to the impact that women’s athletics has on the development of an individual, strengthening of a team and key skills and attributes developed along the way. South Side…
Cicadas in the park in Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Cicadas are coming and the Village of Palos Park is ready. The village hosted its 31st annual Arbor Day Celebration on Sunday, May 5, themed, “The Wonder of Trees” at The Center in the Lodge, 12700 Southwest Highway, with featured speaker, Tricia Bethke of The Morton Arboretum who presented, “Cicadas…
Palos Heights SD 128 sees enrollment boom
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Over the past few years, Palos Heights School District 128 has experienced an explosive growth among incoming students. There has been a significant increase particularly at Indian Hill Early Learning Center, 12800 S. Austin Ave. Chippewa Elementary School, 12425 S. Austin Ave; Navajo Elementary School, 12401 S. Oak Park Ave;…
Comings & Goings: Orange’s Pancake House now open in Palos Heights
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Palos Heights is the home of a popular new breakfast café. Orange’s Pancake House, 11845 Southwest Highway, held a ribbon-cutting event on April 18. Owners, Elvia Briones, of Virgina, and Fernando Cruz, of Evergreen Park, said they were very excited to be in the heart of the Palos Heights community.…
Sisters make Chicago Lawn a world destination
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Earlier this month was the Fifth Lithuanian Documentary Film Festival, with distinguished guests from Lithuania and other parts of the United States visiting the neighborhood. They held a photo session in the editorial office of…