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Warren rebounds with big win at Stevenson

Warren needed some redemption after a disappointing defeat to Zion-Benton in the previous week.

The Blue Devils were hitting the road and visiting a place that hasn't been friendly to them over the years.

But on this night, they left feeling just fine.

Warren let its hard-nosed defense lead the way with 3 interceptions, and the offense followed behind Micah Jones, who caught 3 touchdown passes.

Warren picked up a 21-14 over host Stevenson in a North Suburban Conference game in Lincolnshire on Friday night. It was the first time for the Blue Devils (6-3, 4-3) had beaten the Patriots (6-3, 5-2) on their home field in nine years.

"It means that we were able to recover. With a young team, we lost that game last week to a good Zion-Benton team," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. "But we were able to come back. That's a tribute to my coaches, these players believing in the process and not getting derailed. They just came out and got it done.

"I thought it was a total team thing. The offense did a great job of holding the ball. They kept (the Stevenson offense off the field and that was huge. Our defense has been pretty good all year. They might be an underrated unit, but they've been good all year. We just beat a good football team at their place."

The Blue Devils scored twice before the Patriots got their offense going. Jones got the first of his touchdowns on a 15-yard pass from quarterback Ian Schilling (14 of 28 passing for 152 yards) for a 7-0 lead with 6:08 left in the first quarter.

Jones was on the receiving end again from Schilling catching a 19-yard pass that increased the lead to 14-0 with 5:18 left in the second quarter.

Stevenson responded quickly as Alex Capstick caught a pass between two Blue Devils players and broke free for a 75-yard touchdown. It cut the lead to 14-7 with 4:57 left until halftime.

The Patriots put together a little razzle-dazzle in the waning seconds of the half. Quarterback Cole Okmin (14 of 30 passing, 226 yards and 3 interceptions) sent a pass to his receiver Tyler Porzycki, who caught the 24-yard pass and handed it off to Capstick on a hook-and-ladder. Capstick took it into the end zone for a 25-yard score. It tied the game at 14 a piece at the half.

Warren found the only score of the second half. Jones went into the end zone on a 10-yard pass from Schilling that put the Blue Devils up for good at 21-14.

"It was a good game, we all came out and played hard," Jones said. "I wanted to do it for my teammates and they deserved it. We have height across the board at wide receiver, with speed. Everybody played well and we played our hearts out."

Stevenson couldn't get a sustained drive together in the third and fourth quarters. The Blue Devils defense kept them away and out of the end zone.

"We just didn't make enough plays, (Warren) did with their quarterback," Stevenson coach Josh Hjorth said. "He wormed his way out and made some unbelievable plays. We didn't get the turnovers we needed and they got the turnovers they needed. Give credit - hats off to Warren. They took care of business and did what they needed to do."

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