For years, one of the best rivalries in the southwest suburbs was between Sandburg and Lincoln-Way. Even though Lincoln-Way has split into three separate athletic programs, the memorable games still continue.
On Sept. 25, the host Eagles hosted Lincoln-Way Central and emerged with a thrilling 21-17 Southwest Suburban victory as quarterback Sean Ruisz connected with Kendall McDowell on a 3-yard TD pass in the closing seconds as McDowell made a one-handed catch.
“If we went into overtime, it would have been advantage Lincoln-Way Central, so the mindset was to go for it,” Eagles coach Sheamus Murphy said. “Kendall ran a slant and Sean hit him, but he almost overthrew him. Kendall clawed it with one hand to win the game with 12 seconds left.”
Earlier in the game, Sandburg (4-2, 1-2) had touchdowns from Army commit Quinn Durkin (three receptions, 81 yards) on a 45-yard pass from Ruisz (17 of 23 passing, 257 yards) and Northern Illinois commit Lucas Matykiewicz (six catches, 85 yards) on a 17-yard strike from Ruisz.
“(Lincoln-Way Central) is the original rival,” Murphy said. “The Sandburg-Lincoln-Way rivalry is a big rivalry and this win gets us out of that rut we were in with a two-game skid. … It’s looking like we’re getting healthy at the right time because we had kind of an injury bug.
“So, we’re really concentrating on playing good football here in this last chunk of the regular season and carrying that momentum into the playoffs.”
Chicago Christian 54, St. Edward 8: Emmett Van Dellen threw a TD pass to Isaac Workman while also returning an interception for a touchdown for Chicago Christian (3-3, 2-2 Chicagoland Christian).
IC Prep 28, St. Laurence 12: Host St. Laurence (1-5, 0-2 Catholic League White) had a 1-yard TD run from Keynan Morgan and a 40-yard TD catch from Dakarai Simmons on a pass from Noah Taylor.
Loyola 42, Marist 12: Jake Fleming (20 of 34, 287 yards) threw a 5-yard TD pass to Conor Fleming (eight receptions, 167 yards) and an 18-yard TD strike to Chase Tylka (five catches, 50 yards) for host Marist (3-3, 0-2 Catholic League Blue).
Lyons 56, Proviso West 6: Jack Williams scored on runs of 1 and 18 yards for host Lyons (5-1, 2-1 West Suburban Silver). Cole Harris threw TD passes to Aidan Webster, EJ Kuhlman and Owen Matela.
Richards 35, Eisenhower 6: Richards (4-2, 3-0 South Suburban Red) won its fourth straight game as Eric Jacobs threw a 29-yard TD pass to Logan Sales, while also scoring on a 1-yard run and an 80-yard kickoff return. Jordan Lewis added a pair of 4-yard TD runs for the Bulldogs.
Riverside-Brookfield 48, Elmwood Park 6: Braeden Novak threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another for R-B (5-1, 4-0 Upstate Eight East). Seven players scored for the Bulldogs, including Tim Giacomelli, Nico Caputo, Tyler Schultz and Enzo Burke.
St. Francis 25, Nazareth 22: JJ Chapman threw a TD pass for Nazareth (2-4, 0-2 Catholic League Green). Charles Calhoun added a 22-yard TD run.
Shepard 31, TF North 6: Ashton Hite threw three TD passes and booted two field goals for visiting Shepard (3-3). Malikk Wright scored twice and Brendin Thomas and Marion McChristian once each.
St. Rita 39, Montini 38: Brandon Johnson scored four touchdowns on runs of 1, 5, 6 and 6 yards for St. Rita (3-3, 2-0 Catholic League Green). Griffin Sinkovich drilled three field goals for the Mustangs of 46, 27 and 28 yards.