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
SD122 celebrates end of Ramadan at Simmons Middle School
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam As Ramadan was drawing to a close for Muslims worldwide, District 122’s Superintendent Joseph Matise, Oak Lawn Community High School’s Muslim Students Association club, and the district’s Parents Committee came together to create history. They hosted the first-ever Iftar dinner at Simmons Middle School on April 8, a significant event…
Orland Park Library collecting candy wrappers
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Candy has taken on a whole new life at one local library. The Orland Park Public Library, 14921 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, is happy to announce the launch of its very first Trash or Treasure candy wrapper recycling campaign. The Trash or Treasure program helps reduce the waste that…
Hickory Hills adds new police officer
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Hickory Hills Police Chief Jason Bray welcomed Andre Showers as the city’s newest police officer during last week’s city council meeting. Aldermen and the community at the April 11 meeting helped celebrate the induction of the Showers, 21. He’s an Army veteran and a 2023 Cook County Correctional Camp graduate…
Marist celebrates cultural diversity
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Marist High School appreciates the wide array of culture that walks its campus hallways on a daily basis. In order to celebrate, the high school, 4200 W. 115th St., Chicago, hosted its second annual Celebration of Culture on March 14. During the free event, students, faculty and staff represented their…
Palos Heights Knights of Columbus donate to GiGi’s Playhouse
Spread the loveGrand Knight John Laskey and Past Grand Knight Brian Mellenthin of St. Theodore Guerin Knights of Columbus Council 14057 presented a check for $1,500 to GiGi’s Playhouse of Tinley Park, one of several donations to local groups resulting from the Knights of Columbus’ Fall Tootsie Roll Drive. One of the most recognizable activities…
Worth police join task force to combat auto thefts
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle An agreement has been reached between the villages of Worth and Thornton regarding participation in the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force. Worth Police Chief Tim Denton said the approval of the memorandum to participate in the task force is necessary. “It’s no secret that there has been an increase…
A simple idea for Earth Day
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Moving right along through April, as the days get longer and nicer, time will start to go by faster. We have Earth Day on April 22 and the start of Passover at sunset.…
Bingo at St. Clare was something to yell about
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Recently I mentioned a bingo fundraiser the Augustinian Young Adults of St. Rita of Cascia Parish were holding. This was their first attempt at a bingo and they put on a really nice event. Held…
One thing is certain: life goes on
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I get a lot of calls from residents who are discouraged about our neighborhood. There are so many car accidents, shootings and violent crimes being committed in West Lawn and surrounding areas. It certainly is challenging to stay hopeful and positive. Here is a paragraph…
Neighbors
Police Council rallies to save ShotSpotter
Spread the love. By Alexis Bocanegra Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (773) 949-1509 • grcl.alex23@gmail.com . Chicago Lawn (8th) District Police Council members Mark Hamberlin, Al Cacciottolo and Jason Huff have created an online petition to save ShotSpotter. As you may have read in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound back in March, Mayor…
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Summit Fire Department blood drive draws a crowd
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Summit Fire Department, along with the Village of Summit, and the Argo Summit Lions Club held a blood drive this past Saturday, and it drew a crowd that even impressed the American Red Cross. It took place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with non-stop donors walking through the…
Hodgkins toasts village businesses
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap and the Board of Trustees celebrated the village’s businesses at its annual Business Appreciation Breakfast on April 10. Over 100 people gathered at the Hodgkins Administration Center for a hearty breakfast hosted by the village. Representatives from many businesses that are located in or that work…
Pickleball courts coming to Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva There will finally be outdoor pickleball in Palos Park. In a process that went longer than anticipated, the Palos Park Village Council was able give the green light to get a pickleball project started on the Village Green. The council voted April 8 to award the contract to U.S. Tennis…
First Secure Bank to host American Eagle gold coin sale
Spread the loveFrom staff reports First Secure Bank & Trust of Palos Hills announced its annual May sale of 1-ounce and ¼-ounce American Eagle Gold Coins, produced by the U.S. Mint, will take place from 10 a.m.to noon on Saturdays, May 4, May 11, May 18 and May 25. The sale will take place at…
Donate teddy bears to our local police
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Have you ever seen the 1955 movie The Night of the Hunter? The children in this movie show such bravery and acceptance in what life has thrown at them. They have to deal with unimaginable events and sadness. …
Boy Scouts collecting tattered flags for disposal
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Goodbye April, hello May. Our American Flag, the symbol of our country, should always be treated with respect. But after bearing Chicago’s brutal winters and hot blazing summers along with being in the…