After giving up a combined 344 rushing yards from QB Colton Gumino and RB Brandon Jenkins in the 30-27 win against Hersey on Oct. 11, Prospect prepared for a heavy rushing attack by the Huskies. The defensive staff worked all week to combat this and it paid off as they held Jenkins to only 18 rushing yards in the first half as Prospect built a commanding 35-7 lead. Head coach Dan DeBoeuf appreciated the game plan the defensive coaches called and thought it was a key in the 56-14 victory.
“The main part of our game plan was everyone do their job because if everyone works together as a team then we get the job done and I think it really showed today,” said junior defensive lineman Charlie Letzig, who made numerous key tackles throughout the game.
After the Huskies first drive (9 plays: 7 runs, 2 passes) came up short, they had to punt again. However, it went from bad to worse for the Huskies as their punter dropped the snap and was tackled by junior Jackson Parrish at their own 10-yard line giving Prospect great field position leading to a touchdown with 1:50 left in the first quarter.
Along with the great defensive play by the Knights, the offense also showed out as they went up 21-0 through their first three drives, highlighted by a big 38-yard run by Senior RB Noah Easter (15 rushes, 107 yards, 3 touchdowns), a 64-yard bomb to junior WR Lucas Deines (4 catches, 90 yards) from senior quarterback Jack Skoog (13-for-15 passing for 184 yards and 3 total touchdowns), and a ten-yard turnaround catch in the corner of the endzone by senior WR Nick Carlucci (4 catches, 53 yards). This fast start and continued pressure by Prospect’s offense helped push Hersey to have to throw the ball instead of running it. In the first meeting, Hersey ran the ball 47 times and threw the ball 10 times while in this game they ran it 35 times and threw it 26 times.
Senior cornerback Jacob Bednarski expressed how the offense helped lessen the load on the defense.
“It lifts weight off our shoulders,” said Bednarski. “We don’t have to worry about the offense; they are just balling out.”
The offense also probably appreciated Bednarski’s play throughout the game. Not only did he play lockdown coverage, but he also had the game-sealing pick six with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter, running one in from 44 yards out to make the score 56-14.
This wasn’t the only pick six of the night for the Knights, however, as senior linebacker Declan Lawler joined the interception party. After jumping a screen pass, Lawlor caught the ball at the Huskies’ 48 yard-line and took it to the house, increasing the score to 42-7 with 9:03 left in the third quarter.
Deboeuf loved to see these big plays by the defense.
“I think we had five interceptions, so [a] huge turnover differential,” DeBoeuf said. “[I am] super proud of the defense.”
Easter thinks this win over their arch-rivals felt even better than the first one.
“It’s almost sweeter in the playoffs because we get to knock them out,” Easter said. “They were trying to come at us, trying to knock us off, and it’s much better putting it on them like that.”
DeBoeuf thinks this game showed how when the team plays great together they can give any team a run for their money as they head into their second round game at Normal on Nov. 8.
”It was fun to see us play well in all facets: offense, defense, and special teams,” DeBoeuf said. “I think this team can be special if we keep building.”
