By Xavier Sanchez
Correspondent
Stagg and Oak Lawn put a spin on the concept of a doubleheader for their non-conference football and boys soccer matchups on Sept. 1.
The Chargers programs hosted their Spartans counterparts for a Futbol/Football Friday Night Lights event, with the soccer game kicking off the evening and the football game concluding it.
Stagg went on to win both games: soccer, 3-0, and football, 49-6.
Entering the latter game, the Chargers and Spartans were both looking to improve to 2-0, the same situation they were in last season entering their Week 2 matchup. Stagg has now made the most of that opportunity twice.
The Chargers started the scoring midway through the first quarter with an Anas Ahmed touchdown run.
The Stagg celebration came to an abrupt halt when Oak Lawn’s Thomas Vrabel ran back the ensuing kickoff for an Oak Lawn touchdown. A missed extra point kept Stagg ahead, 7-6.
That was it for the Spartans, and Chargers were prepared to show what they had been working toward all week long.
“I’ve been thinking about this game all night because it is one of our biggest rivalries,” said Stagg senior quarterback Lebarion Gilmore.
Gilmore (7-for-12 passing, 97 yards, 3 TDs), who plays offense and defense, turned up the pressure in the second quarter, twice finding Cherterion Rodgers for touchdowns.
The Chargers were up 20-6 at halftime, but were not at all satisfied.
“We started off slow. There were a lot of penalties to start,” said Stagg head coach Colton Nero.
Stagg scored four times in the second half, with Anthony Sukalo running for a touchdown and catching a pass for another. Gilmore capped off his evening with a rushing touchdown to go with his three scoring passes, and Jayden Little punched one in late.
Stagg comes in with much more experience this year, which is Nero’s fourth at the Palos Hills school. One of their goals is to find opportunities to get many players involved on offense.
“We spent a lot of time this offseason trying to figure out a game plan that would allow us to do so,” Nero said. “We have a lot of athletes on our team and wanted to figure out a way to get the ball in their hands.”
Gilmore is all for that.
“I love it,” he said. “Last year, it was only a certain amount of guys that touched the ball, but this year everyone is getting to feel it. Everyone is getting the experience. We have juniors, sophomores … everyone trying to get involved.”
The Chargers have scored 49 points in each of their two games this season, the other being their season-opening win over Joliet Central.
Stagg plays at home against Belleville West in Week 3. Oak Lawn will be at Argo.
Nice article Xavier. Go Chargers !