North runs past West Chicago

Downers Grove North advanced to the second round of the Class 7A playoffs after defeating West Chicago 49-14 Friday night. The Trojans now face St. Rita in their next matchup.

The victory extends Downers Grove North’s streak of reaching the quarterfinals for a fourth consecutive season. The team finished the regular season with a 9-1 record.

The Trojans controlled the game on both sides of the field. They scored on every offensive drive in the first half. West Chicago did not score until the middle of the third quarter.

Zachary Surowiec and Kevin Jay powered the rushing attack. The duo combined for three rushing touchdowns in the first half. This effort gave the Trojans a 28-0 lead before the third quarter began.

Surowiec opened the scoring with a 46-yard run on the team’s first drive. He added a 17-yard score with 49 seconds left in the first quarter. Jay contributed a 27-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

Quarterback Joey Goodwin threw for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Jacob Vroman for a 29-yard score. He later found Ray Johnson for a 60-yard touchdown.

“It felt good to come here and take care of business,” Jay said. “We ran the ball pretty great and have been all year, so my coaches and everybody around me know what the team and I are capable of.”

Coach Joe Horeni praised Jay’s versatility. “(Jay) is very versatile, as he carries the ball really well and can fill in as a quarterback when needed,” Horeni said. “He is also a tough blocker which showed tonight.”

Defensive back Connor Crowley intercepted a pass to set up the score that extended the lead to 35-0. Second-string quarterback Jacob Pourier entered in the third quarter. He threw two touchdowns, including a 19-yard pass to Kyle Jacobs.

The Wildcats trailed 49-0 with four minutes left in the third quarter. Running back Iann Lemus scored a 10-yard touchdown with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. He added another score with one minute left to cap the final margin.

West Chicago had won its first playoff game in 52 years the previous week. The Wildcats finished the season with a 5-6 record.