Rowell, ICCP turn the tide

PRINCETON - Jordan Rowell reversed the tide of the Class 3A football quarterfinal three plays into the second half Saturday night.

Previously undefeated Princeton scored in the last minute before halftime to reduce its deficit to single figures against IC Catholic Prep.

But Rowell found a seam off left tackle, exploited the Tigers' second line of defense and outran the entire secondary for a 66-yard run on the third play from scrimmage in the third quarter.

Princeton never recovered as the Knights rolled to their 11th straight victory, a 37-12 triumph, to advance to the semifinals against Bishop McNamara.

The Kankakee school handed the Knights their only loss in the teams' season opener.

"The big run to start the second half wouldn't have happened if I didn't have the big blocks," said Rowell, who finish with 209 yards on 22 carries.

Later in the quarter, Rowell took a swing pass from ICCP quarterback Luke Ricobene and scored the Knights' fifth and final touchdown of the game by eluding the Tigers' defense on the 43-yard catch and run.

"The offensive line and receiver blocking was there," the Knights' junior said. "(The play) was ready."

The second big play of the quarter gave ICCP a commanding 34-12 lead with less than 15 minutes to play in the game.

The Knights' defense did the rest.

Princeton (11-1) was denied on fourth down on four occasions in the contest, including three times in the second half.

Anthony Silva and freshman Kemon Reese had back-to-back sacks to highlight the Knights holding Princeton scoreless after halftime.

"The team just came together," said Silva, who had 2 sacks on the night. "If it wasn't for my team, none of that would have happened. (The fourth-down stops) got the offense going and put us in the end zone."

ICCP (11-1) never trailed after Ricobene scampered 30 yards in the opening quarter.

Princeton drew to within 7-6 on the ensuing first-quarter possession, but the Knights responded with back-to-back scores from Pat Jordan - a 4-yard pass from Ricobene - and a 38-yard Rowell burst.

The cushion was needed as the Princeton defense forced turnovers and forfeiture on downs on three consecutive ICCP possessions.

The Tigers scored in the waning moments before halftime to trail 21-12 at the break.

But the pair of Rowell touchdowns and the Knights' stingy second-half defense ruined the Tigers' perfect season.

"(Defensive coordinator) Roger Kelley is the reason why those fourth-down stops came up like that," ICCP coach Bill Krefft said. "You can't have a bad quarter in the playoffs."

Princeton coach Jesse Snyder was reflective afterward.

"This is my fourth year as head coach," he said. "We were 0-18 my first two years."