Batavia High School senior running back Art Taylor cruised into the end zone midway through the third period of the first round playoff game Saturday against Thornwood. It was his third touchdown of the game and the last by the Battlin’ Bulldogs in the 49-8 victory over visiting Thornwood in Class 7A, one of eight classes.
Still in the end zone, offensive lineman Ryan Ingold rushed to pick up Taylor. The contrast was evident. Taylor, a mighty-mite, is 5-8 and 150 pounds, small enough to hide behind big offensive linemen, powerful enough to shed defenders, and clever enough to find the opening when little exists. Ingold, in contrast, is 6-6 and 275 pounds. Ingold raised the spread-eagle Taylor nearly equal to the height of the cross bar in the end zone. Such celebrations are common in high school football now, because such theatrics and celebrations do find repeat and sudden jubilant performances.
The celebration was on and Batavia entered the second round against likely a much more difficult opponent in Hononegah at 1 p.m. Saturday in Batavia.
Batavia has built a strong program since the development of youth football and a tradition of success with two State championships within the last decade. Playoff football is sudden death and dreams do become dashed, therefore, it is wise to enjoy the moment.
Batavia head coach Dennis Piron said about the victory, “We came out and played well in the first half and I was pleased with the approach and focus. Rockton Hononegah is very quick, a pass-first team with an aggressive blitzing 3-5-3 defense. They are a perennial playoff team with good experience.”
• The upcoming weekend will usher in State champions in boys and girls cross country and in Class 2A and Class 3A boys soccer tournaments, the fourth of seven consecutive Saturdays to determine Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State championship teams.
• Oswego High School has taken a path similar in football to Batavia in planting the future with youth football. Similar to Batavia, Oswego has won two State championships, only in the early 1990s after a dearth of victories in the 1980s. Oswego defeated visiting Elgin, 42-8, in a Class 8A first-round game. Oswego will play at Bolingbrook at 6 p.m. Saturday in a second-round game.
“Bolingbrook is fast at all positions,” Oswego head coach Brian Cooney said. “They are more physical than I’ve seen in previous years as well.”
Oswego quarterback Cole Pradel clicked on eight of nine completed passes for 153 yards and three touchdowns against Elgin. Wide receiver Nick Hampton made six receptions for 89 yards and three touchdowns.
• Yorkville will draw one-beaten and talented Willowbrook in a second round Class 7A game Saturday afternoon. “Willowbrook has a quarterback who can score at anytime,” Yorkville head coach Dan McGuire said. “He has multiple receivers.” Against T.F. South: “Our defense played in coverage and kept them in long down and distance situations.”
• Marmion Academy head coach Dan Thorpe on Saturday opponent Boylan: “Very well coached, play hard, and undefeated for a reason.”