Like all quarterbacks, Richards’ Noah Escobedo would like to throw the ball more.

But the junior knows that the Bulldogs’ success over the past 50-odd years has been running the ball. So he’s good with handing off to Myles Mitchell, or even going to the sidelines to be replaced by another blocker when Mitchell takes direct snaps from center, as he did often in Richards’ 21-20 Class 6A quarterfinal victory over Kankakee on Nov. 16.

Mitchell made his mark, and not just via his 3-yard rushing touchdown in the first half.

So did Escobedo, whose single long throw downfield was a 73-yard scoring strike to Jaiden Henry for the lead and eventual victory with 5:18 left in the fourth quarter. The extra point by sophomore Anthony Sanchez was the ultimate difference.

There was one other key play for Richards. Emanuel Mahonie’s 35-yard fumble recovery and touchdown return of Zion Tucker’s fumble with 90 seconds left in the third quarter brought the Bulldogs back into a game the Kays had been controlling for the better part of three quarters.

So, basic Bulldogs football: A big ground game, a surprise pass and a huge defensive play earned Richards (11-1) a semifinal trip to East St. Louis, which beat Glenwood 58-14. That mix of ingredients brought a smile to coach Tony Sheehan’s face after the final horn.

“That’s Richards football. I was a quarterback and would love to throw the ball 40 times,” Sheehan said. “I get it. But this place is built on being tough and running the ball and playing defense, and it’s not going to change as long as I’m around.”

Sheehan, 134-45 in his 16th year at the helm, praised Escobedo’s understanding of the Bulldogs’ philosophy.

“He’s a selfless kid,” Sheehan said. “If that’s what it takes for us to win, that’s what it took. And when his number got called, he stepped up and made the play.”

Henry was the other half of that play, hauling in Escobedo’s pass at the Kays 45 and outrunning the defense the rest of the way.

“All week, we’ve been harping on, when it’s your time to make a play, make a play,” Henry said. “Today was the day. With guys like Myles, it’s a lot easier to get the passing game open. My (defender) came down on me so I got open. I just had to make that play.”

All that overcame James Stampley’s three-touchdown performance for Kankakee on 25 carries for 139 yards.

The Kays bottled up Mitchell in the first half as effectively as any team has this season, holding him to 50 yards on 15 carries, including his 3-yard touchdown run. 

But the Bulldogs’ bell cow ran 29 times for 97 yards. He was at 105 yards before taking a knee twice in the final 45 seconds to run out the clock. He winced when he was told he slid back under 100, but said the win was worth it.

“This team is different, man,” Mitchell said. “We knew we had something when we came in last year. The disappointing loss last year (52-51 to Glenwood in the second round), we put that on our shoulders. I’ll just keep going out there and do what I do.

“We’re out to shock the world. Stay tuned.”

Mahonie, a defensive back, was covering a receiver when Tucker came his way, first fumbling the ball, then picking it up. Then the ball went flying.

“My teammates hit him again, and I said, ‘I’ve got to make this play,” Mahonie said of scooping up the ball. “We’re down 7-14, and if I make it, we’re right back in the game.”

He did, racing 35 yards to Korhonen Field’s south end zone, and they were.

“I was gone,” Mahonie said. “This feels amazing. Halftime, I was thinking, ‘Who’s going to make a play, punch that ball out?’ “