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Big plays power Addison Trail past Leyden

Addison Trail spoiled Leyden's homecoming party Friday night in Northlake.

The visiting Blazers scored on a string of big plays - two of their touchdowns coming on the first play of possessions - in a 40-7 West Suburban Gold victory over the Eagles.

Leyden fell to 0-4 overall (0-1 in conference) while red-hot Addison Trail stayed undefeated.

"We were pumped up to play tonight," said Eagles senior Alex Rose. "We wanted to come out and turn things around. It didn't happen, but we've still got five games to go.

"I felt like it was the four big plays they had in the first half that turned the game around," added Rose. "We were playing well and stopping them (on defense), but then we'd have a missed tackle or a blown assignment and they would take it to the end zone."

The game started on a high note for the Eagles, who stopped Addison Trail on its first possession after a couple of key tackles by defensive back Alan Jeffrey.

But Leyden couldn't capitalize on offense, and scores by Addison Trail quarterback Michael Rybarczyk (35-yard burst up the middle) and wide receiver Jaavion Bradley (41 yard touchdown pass from Rybarczyk) gave the Blazers an early 14-point lead.

Addison Trail increased the advantage to 26-0 at halftime on a 61-yard run by Malik Pierre-Louis, then an 8-yard scoring strike from Rybarczyk to Jake Atiyeh.

"Their big plays hurt us," said Leyden coach Tom Cerasani, "and on offense we couldn't convert on third down, and that hurt us as well. We need to jell and come together as a team."

Leyden got a spark in the third quarter when linebacker Beni Smajlovic recovered a fumble in Blazers territorys. But the Eagles couldn't convert the miscue into points.

Then Addison Trail used 2 turnovers of their own, a fumble recovery and an interception by Christopher Lacni to give the ball back to its offense in great field position.

Second-half touchdowns by Blazers senior Bradley (7-yard reception) and Atiyeh (30-yard catch) gave the visitors a 40-0 lead.

Finally, Leyden came up with its best drive of the game late in the fourth quarter.

Eagles quarterback Tom Pajor connected on two long strikes to tailback John Robles, and junior David DeMarias had a 4-yard touchdown run with 3:35 left to give Leyden its only score of the game.

The PAT from Kevin Vargas accounted for the final tally.

Pajor finished with 11 completions for 98 yards, Robles caught 4 passes for 48 yards and senior Alexander Lemon had 4 receptions for 32 yards.

All four of Leyden's losses thus far have come to highly-regarded teams.

"We've been unfortunate to catch some really good teams right off the bat early in the season," said Cerasani. "It's a little disheartening to be 0-4, but I know how good the character of the kids on this team is. They're going to keep fighting and we're going to put one in the win column soon.

I wouldn't be surprised if it happens next week."

Rose was honored as the East campus homecoming king during halftime ceremonies.

"Overwhelming," said the senior of the accolade. "I've got so much support."

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