Moore, Willowbrook improvise to beat Addison Trail
When one gap closes, another lane opens.
At least that was the case for Willowbrook linebacker Travis Moore, whose second-quarter blocked punt was an exercise in improvisation.
"My gap got closed so I just jumped outside and (the punter) was right there so I dove and blocked it," Moore said.
Moore also corralled the loose ball and rumbled to the 2-yard line. Even though Moore wanted the touchdown, his team punched it in a play later for its fourth score en route to a 42-12 West Suburban Gold win over Addison Trail on Saturday morning in Villa Park.
The 2-yard scoring run by Jayon White was one of the Warriors' six touchdowns in the first half, in which they had six possession for 266 yards, the blocked punt and a fumble recovery, also by Moore.
"We really didn't want to underestimate them," Moore said. "We knew they were 0-4 but would come in here and try to smack us in the mouth. We didn't let that happen and the scoreboard showed it."
The Warriors, who moved to 4-1 on the season, dominated from the opening whistle, using a potent ground attack on grass slick from about 18 hours of rain.
Quarterback Sam Tumilty had Willowbrook's first three scores on runs of 20, 14 and 22 yards, respectively.
"Mostly, early on, some things in the pass game we didn't do really well and some things (on the ground) just opened up," Warriors coach Nick Hildreth said. "They weren't designed runs, just (Tumilty) improvising and making some plays."
The Warriors Ta'Vion Geanes, who had a game-high 98 yards rushing, added a 1-yard scoring run, and Tumilty hit a wide open Everett Stubblefield for a 43-yard touchdown late in the half to finish the Warriors' scoring.
The scoring total allowed Willowbrook to empty the bench in the second half under a running clock.
Addison Trail, however, kept on the pressure and added a pair of fourth-quarter scores from senior wide receiver Anthony Carlson.
Carlson scored on a 5-yard run early in the quarter and an 18-yard reception midway through the final quarter. Carlson led the Blazers with 97 yards of offense, including 5 catches for 76 yards.
Addison Trail coach Paul Parpet Jr. knew it was going to be tough matchup for his squad but said his team is always working to get better.
Aside from noting areas in need of improvement, Parpet said he was proud his team fought to the final whistle.
"Effort is always the key," he said. "And I thought our boys continued to play with great effort. We're very young and have to weather the storm. … And we won the second half, and that was the message at halftime."
The Warriors are now on the hunt for the ever-important fifth win to make them playoff eligible.
They will look to get that next week against at Hinsdale South.
"There are ebbs and flows to a season; you never really know and Hinsdale South always gives us trouble," Hildreth said. "... For us, it's just making sure we're ready to go and coached up really well."