While senior EJ Kuhlman has been the top running back for Lyons this season, backfield mate Jack Williams is displaying his own ability to put up quality statistics.
In helping visiting Lyons to a 55-14 victory over Perspectives on Oct. 30 in a Class 8A first-round contest, Williams scored on TD runs of 1 and 11 yards. The 5-foot-9, 195-pound sophomore put in an impressive day’s work, finishing with 147 yards on 11 carries.
Fellow running back Caiden Kovel also experienced success against the Warriors (7-3), carrying 10 times for 42 yards and recording a 3-yard TD run for Lyons, which led 41-8 at halftime.
The Lions also thrived in the air as quarterback Brendan McCabe was 5 of 6 passing for 103 yards and three TDs. McCabe connected with Owen Matela (two receptions, 40 yards) on TD passes of 17 and 23 yards, and threw a 49-yard score to Lincoln DiMauro (two catches, 56 yards).
Also scoring for the Lions was Zion Cockrell, who recovered a fumble. Lyons plays Bolingbrook at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 in the second round.
Dixon 24, Evergreen Park 21: In a Class 4A first-round matchup, visiting Dixon (8-3) scored on a 5-yard TD pass on the final play of the game. Gavin Wheeler (21 carries, 82 yards) scored on runs of 1 and 10 yards for the Mustangs, who finished 7-3. Brady Bruen threw a 66-yard strike to Jaylen Chothen to account for Evergreen Park’s other touchdown.
East St. Louis 69, Reavis 0: Visiting Reavis (5-6) was held to 25 yards rushing in a Class 7A first-round loss.
Nazareth 28, Dunlap 7: Dylan Wellner (36-yard run), Jack Parisi (6-yard run), Gavin Hartigan (2-yard run) and Cash Coleman (24-yard pass from JJ Chapman) scored for visiting Nazareth (6-5) in a Class 6A first-round contest. The Roadrunners will host Simeon at 1 p.m. Nov. 7 in the second round.
Richards 50, Niles North 8: Eric Jacobs threw two TD passes to both Naquan Griffin (65 yards and 78 yards) and Logan Sales (19 yards and 54 yards) for host Richards (8-2) in Class 7A. Jacobs also found Jordan Lewis for a 23-yard TD. Kam Norwood (39-yard fumble return) and Lewis (5-yard run) provided the other points for the Bulldogs, who have won eight in a row. Richards will travel to Glenbard North for a second-round matchup at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Riverside-Brookfield 56, Thornwood 28: Nico Caputo scored on runs of 1, 6 and 8 yards for host Riverside-Brookfield (9-1) in Class 6A. Braeden Novak threw TD passes of 26 and 33 yards to James Organ while also scoring on a 2-yard run. Tyler Schultz chipped in TD runs of 1 and 39 yards. The Bulldogs host Wheaton-Warrenville South at 7:15 p.m . Nov. 6 in the second round.
St. Rita 36, Buffalo Grove 10: Brandon Johnson Jr. scored on runs of 7, 5 and 9 yards as host St. Rita (7-3) prevailed in Class 7A. Doniven Campbell (60-yard run), Vinny Stubitsch (52-yard pass from John Fennell) and Griffin Sinkovich (29-yard field goal) also provided points for the Mustangs. Jameson Cronin (fumble recovery), Marty Racz (interception) and Braiden Tagler (forced fumble) led St. Rita’s defense. The Mustangs will travel to Downers Grove North at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 in the second round.
Simeon 28, Oak Lawn 19: Jayden Schlosser rushed 23 times for 134 yards and scored on runs of 7 and 28 yards for host Oak Lawn (7-3) in Class 6A. Danny Strelow added a 1-yard TD run for the Spartans.