By Mike Walsh
Correspondent
Brother Rice head coach Casey Quedenfeld was happy about his team’s 10-7 victory over Maine South on opening night.
After all, beating a team the caliber of the Hawks and which is known for having a prolific offense, is a good start to the season.
But …
“There’s a lot to fix about our defense,” Quedenfeld said. “But the kids know that since I’ve come aboard, they understand our standard and it starts with defense. We made the vow last year that no one is going to run the ball against us effectively and efficiently.
“It starts with that. And our pass coverage needs to improve but, overall, they buy in and do their jobs.”
The defense was led by Christian Pierce (8 tackles), Joe Lombardo (6 tackles) and Jake Dugger (5 tackles, interception).
On the other side of the ball, senior running back Randall Nauden rushed for 110 yards on 30 attempts. Nauden has committed to play at Navy.
“Randall did some good things, but he can definitely improve,” Quedenfeld said. “He couldn’t bust a long one and he couldn’t find some long runs. As coaches, we have to make sure Randall has some time to breathe.
“He’s a really strong kid and he’s smart. He’s working on his vision a bit. He doesn’t have crazy, top-end speed, but he does a good job for us.”
Cam Rogers ran eight times for 35 yards scored on a 7-yard run. Ronan Culkin chipped in a 30-yard field goal.
Up next for Brother Rice is a visit to neighborhood rival Marist on Friday night.
“The kids are excited, but they understand [the season]’s a very long process,” Quedenfeld said. “We have a change in mindset in (not) thinking of more than one game on the calendar.
“This win gives our guys confidence, but we preach as a coaching staff not to look ahead. This game is over with, let’s fix our mistakes and get better.”
Mount Carmel 36, East Saint Louis 33
Quarterback Jack Elliott carried 22 times for 177 yards and one touchdown for Mount Carmel at Illinois State University. Elliott, of Orland Park, completed 13 passes in 26 attempts for 108 yards and a TD.
Darrion Dupree had 20 carries for 70 yards and two TDs, and Maurice Densmore ran six times for 32 yards and a score.
Chicago Christian 35, Sullivan 0
Quarterback Christian Flutman threw touchdown passes to Jared Hall, Caden Boersma and A.J. Van Dellan as the Knights began the season with a nonconference victory at Winnemac Stadium in Chicago. Obi Goble and Kenny Jager also found the end zone on the ground for Chicago Christian.
Oak Lawn 21, Romeoville 14
Running back T.J. Vrabel scored on runs of 54 and 15 yards and also caught a 15-yard touchdown from quarterback Kyle Bader for the host Spartans. Nose guard Jonathon Salinas added an interception and six tackles while Vrabel also forced a fumble.
Evergreen Park 20, Marengo 14
Senior running back Antonio Clay-Jones tallied on runs of five and eight yards for host Evergreen Park in the nonconference matchup. Jedidiah Adjayi also tallied a touchdown for the Mustangs on a 72-yard pass from Deijon Feliciano.
St. Laurence 77, Von Steuben 0
The host Vikings ran for 399 yards and held Von Steuben to -20 in the nonconference rout. Aaron Ball (7 carries, 163 yards, TD) tallied on an 88-yard run for the Vikings, while Aydan Ginn added 85 yards and scored on runs of 10 and 75 yards. St. Laurence also got scoring runs from Cory Les (71 yards), Harley Rizzs (1 and 20 yards) and Tim Hyland (1 yard).
Quarterback Evan Les passed for 48 yards and two scores, and Hyland threw a 12-yard TD toss.
Sahir Muhammad had two interceptions, including a 27-yard return for a touchdown.
Stagg 49, Joliet Central 20
Stagg began its season with a nonconference victory in Joliet.
Glenbard West 7, Marist 6
Quarterback Owen Winters scored on a 65-yard run in the fourth quarter to account for the only points for visiting Marist in the nonconference matchup. The RedHawks missed a 32-yard field goal with 35 seconds to play.
Argo 49, Muchin Prep 0
Host Argo prevailed as senior wide receiver Beandre Dugans finished with two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown while also scoring on a 60-yard run. Steve Holmes added 43 yards and two scores on five carries, while quarterbacks Ryan Edwards and Tadeo Sierra combined for seven completions, 72 yards and three TDs. Sierra also scored a rushing TD. Javoris Cotton (24 yards) and Dan Gil (8 yards) chipped in TD catches for the Argonauts.
De La Salle 29, St. Viator 23
Quarterback Kenyonte Louis was 15-of-22 for 242 yards and connected with Myles Green on a 36-yard TD pass with 37 seconds remaining for the host Meteors. Green had six catches for 138 yards. David Coffey (10 carries, 57 yards) scored twice on 1-yard runs and Louis added a 2-yard TD run.
Josue Hernandez’s interception on the game’s final play sealed the victory for the De La Salle. Hernandez added seven tackles. Tristyn Hynes led the Meteors with 10 tackles.
Kankakee 33, Nazareth 26
The visiting Roadrunners fell despite the efforts of QB Logan Malachuk, who ran for 52 yards and three touchdowns. Malachuk was 16-of-41 passing for 177 yards. Lesroy Tittle (10-yard run) accounted for Nazareth’s other score.
Riverside-Brookfield 42, Morton 13
Quarterback Diego Gutierrez threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more as host Riverside-Brookfield prevailed. Luke Kumskis, Anthony Petrucci and Muhammad Salem added receiving TDs for the Bulldogs. Salem also scored a rushing touchdown.
Bremen 38, Reavis 30
Reavis fell in a South Suburban Conference crossover in Burbank.
Prospect 24, Lyons 10
The visiting Lions dropped a nonconference contest in Mount Prospect.
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