Pigskin Wrap: Lincoln-Way West blanks Stagg as Chargers go 0-for-Lincoln-Way

By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer

Stagg had just been beaten 36-0 by Lincoln-Way West in a SouthWest Suburban Red matchup in Palos Hills.

It was the third consecutive game against a Lincoln-Way team. It was the third consecutive loss. And in this unholy trinity of games, the Chargers were outscored 126-3.

Coach Colt Nero is keeping his chin up through the adversity.

“We’re in a good place,” he said after the loss to the Warriors on Sept. 23

The way the third-year coach sees it, the Chargers are charged up about tackling the final four games of the season. They host Andrew Friday, visit Sandburg Oct. 7, host Bradley-Bourbonnais Oct. 14 and finish up at Bolingbrook Oct. 21.

Nero likes the team’s attitude. After breaking a 23-game losing streak by opening the season with a 14-8 win over Reavis and following that with a 42-20 win over Oak Lawn, the three-game losing streak has not dampened his players’ enthusiasm.

“The culture we have established, the camaraderie is high every single week,” Nero said. “The guys enjoy practice. They are really close.

“We’re fine. The guys are excited. They are already talking about getting rolling for the next game.”

Lebarion Gilmore, Stagg’s starting quarterback, injured himself at school Friday morning and wasn’t able to play in a loss to Lincoln-Way West. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Against West, the Chargers (2-3, 0-2) were without junior quarterback Lebarion Gilmore, who was on crutches during the game. Gilmore reportedly injured himself at school that morning.

Isaiah Jimenez was brought up from the sophomore team late in the afternoon to call the signals for the varsity. The highlight of the Chargers’ night was his 32-yard pass to Dan Sweeney in the third quarter.

Stagg picked up 57 yards and ran 38 plays, 14 of them for negative yardage.

The Chargers’ defense was strong for most of the first half, keeping the score 6-0 until the final 2 minutes, when the Warriors (3-2, 1-1) found the end zone on a 42-yard pass play. Stagg took a safety and gave up a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff, and that six-point deficit quickly turned to 22.

Feminis at 199

Saint Xavier coach Mike Feminis could win his 200^th career game Saturday when the Cougars host Roosevelt at Deaton Field in the 2022 homecoming game.

Feminis won No. 199 Sept. 24 with a 25-20 road victory over St. Francis (Indiana), which was ranked 16^th in the nation in an NAIA coaches poll.

A reporting error in last week’s newspaper incorrectly stated Feminis had 298 wins.

SXU (2-2) was ranked 11^th in the nation in the preseason poll but fell off the charts after two early-season losses.

Justin Pringle caught a pair of touchdown passed for the Cougars in the Mid-States Football Association crossover game. Freshman running back Mario Price had 80 yards on the ground to go with seven receptions for 42 yards.

Joe Poselli, an Evergreen Park native who graduated from St. Rita, had a career-best 60-yard punt in the game. Junior defensive back Kevin Countryman returned an interception for a touchdown for the second straight week.

CCL/ESCC

Nazareth has had a few sluggish offensive games this year, but after being held scoreless for the first quarter at Carmel the Roadrunners broke loose in a 45-24 victory in Mundelein. The win snapped a three-game losing streak.

Nazareth (2-3) had 497 yards as Logan Malachuk threw for 255 and Alexander Angulo ran for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Among the game’s highlights were a 57-yard touchdown pass from Malachuck to Justin Taylor and an 82-yard interception return for a score by Zach Hayes.

Nazareth will host St. Rita on Friday.

Brother Rice used a strong running game to beat De La Salle, 42-7. The Crusaders (3-2) picked up 264 yards on the ground, with Randall Nauden getting 99 of them and two touchdowns on 12 carries. De La Salle (1-4) scored on David Coffey’s 87-yard kickoff return.

St. Rita (3-2) beat St. Patrick (3-2), 27-0, at Triton College. Michael Collins and Jett Hilding each saw time at quarterback. Collins had a 60-yard run for a score and Hilding had a 70-yard touchdown run.

Marist (3-2) crushed Marmion (2-3), 42-0. Senior quarterback Dermot Smyth threw for 192 yards and four touchdowns, three of them to Mike Donegan.

Aaron Ball ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns in St. Laurence’s 31-24 win over DePaul. Danny Fitzpatrick threw for 123 yards for the Vikings (3-2). Ball broke a 17-17 tie with a third-quarter run and scored with five seconds to play in the game to give the Vikings the win.

Mount Carmel avenged last year’s upset loss to St. Ignatius with a 41-17 win.

Metro Suburban Red

Riverside-Bookfield (4-1, 3-0) whipped St. Edward, 35-7, for its third consecutive win.

Chicago Christian (1-4, 0-3) was knocked off, 27-0, by Aurora Christian. The Knights have scored seven points over their past four games.

South Suburban Red

Argo (4-1, 1-1) continued to stay hot with a 27-10 win over Oak Lawn (1-4, 0-3). The Argonauts have a big South Suburban Red showdown against Richards at 7 p.m. Friday in Summit.

West Suburban Gold

Morton (2-3, 2-1) had its two-game winning streak snapped with a 27-17 loss to Hinsdale South.

Chicago Public League

Goode doubled up Corliss, 48-24.

Back of the Yards beat Gage Park, 16-0.

Kelly fell to Marshall 56-12.

Bogan lost to Dunbar 22-0.

Solorio dropped a 46-0 decision to Lindblom.

Kennedy lost 45-8 to Payton.

Hubbard lost a 56-0 decision to Simeon.

Curie lost to Brooks, 18-14.

Back of the Yards’ 2021 city championship-winning girls flag football team beat Lindblom, 20-0, to improve to 4-0.

Stagg sophomore quarterback Isaiah Jimenez carries the ball Friday against Lincoln-Way West. Photo by Jeff Vorva