Montini makes quick work of DuSable

The schedule said it was the first round of the IHSA football playoffs, but for Montini Saturday's 56-8 win in Lombard was little more than practice.

The Broncos scored early and often against visiting DuSable in the Class 5A game. At halftime Montini had already found the end zone six times and was already using its backups. The overmatched DuSable team didn't score until midway through the fourth quarter.

Although the win was never in doubt, Montini coach Chris Andriano said there is still plenty to clean up going forward. Andriano called his team sloppy and said the passing game was lacking. That will need to be fixed before the Broncos play next Saturday at Joliet Catholic.

"This will be two state championship-type programs facing off in the second round," Andriano said. "That's a big game."

Getting the team excited for the next game will not be an issue, Andriano said, something he feared before the Dusable game. Andriano said he will have to make sure his team doesn't practice too hard and risk losing a player to injury due to the excitement ahead for next week's game.

Despite being outmatched in nearly every aspect of the game, DuSable gutted its way through the game. The Panthers only had 15 active players, with most playing nearly every down. DuSable quarterback Xaki Echols also split his time as a defensive end, punter and return man. Echols played every snap except two plays that he missed for a brief injury. The sophomore threw for DuSable's only touchdown.

"I give a lot of credit to their kids," Andriano said of DuSable. "They are warriors, they really are tough kids. They kept playing hard."

Montini took advantage of DuSable in all phases of the game. In addition to the 7 offensive touchdowns, Terrell Johnson intercepted an Echols pass, returning it for a touchdown.

With Joliet Catholic looming, Andriano said his team will have the opportunity to live up to the "great" program stature that Montini has achieved.

"We are going to have our hands full next week," Andriano said. "It's going to be, you know, one of those games. Not any place for the timid next week."