North Chicago passes Prairie test vs. Antioch
North Chicago took a major step toward showing that it’s back to being a power in the North Suburban Prairie Division on Friday night.
The Warhawks exploded for 35 unanswered points to defeat visiting Antioch 35-7.
North Chicago improved to 4-0 and 2-0 in the NSC Prairie, while Antioch dropped to 2-2 and 1-1.
“Our kids played strong both on offense and defense,” North Chicago coach Glen Kozlowski said. “Our defense is the best kept secret. They play hard each week and practice well, and they understand what we are doing.
After Antioch’s Austin Klotter (13 carries, 102 yards) ran 50 yards and Wes Zegan kicked the extra point to give the Sequoits a 7-0 first-quarter lead, the Warhawks defense took over. North Chicago allowed only 26 yards in the second half.
North Chicago’s Arnold Shead scored 2 touchdowns on offense and one on defense, as the hosts scored 35 unanswered points.
“I had some great blocking up front,” said Shead, who ran for 78 yards on 18 carries and had 2 interceptions, one of which he returned for a TD. “I love my team because I have their back and they have my back.”
Safety Tazari Bryant put the Warhawks on the board as he recovered a fumble and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown with 6:22 left in the second quarter. Shead scored on a 3-yard run to give the Warhawks a 13-7 lead at the end of the first half.
North Chicago started the second half with a five-minute, 71-yard drive capping the possession on a 1-yard TD keeper by quarterback Jay Amos Mays.
Shead started the scoring in the fourth with a 51-yard interception return. He capped the scoring with a 10-yard sweep late in the quarter.
Antioch coach Brian Glashagel didn’t mince words about his team’s performance.
“That was an old-school butt-kicking,” said Glashagel. “That’s the worst butt-kicking we’ve ever had. We got our butt kicked in all three phases.”
Lake Zurich 2, Lake Forest 0: Due to the Lake Forest teachers strike, the Bears won the North Suburban Lake Division game by forfeit.
Lake Zurich improved to 3-1 and 2-0 in the NSC Lake. Lake Forest fell to 3-1 and 0-1.