Sycamore beats Antioch 32-28 on late drive

Sycamore High School overcame a 28-17 deficit late in the third quarter to defeat top-seeded Antioch 32-28 in a Class 5A Second Round game Saturday at Antioch.

The Spartans trailed by three points with 3 minutes and 11 seconds remaining, needing to cover 89 yards for a go-ahead score. Sophomore quarterback Chaz Wright directed the final offensive series, leading the team into the Antioch end zone with 20 seconds left on the clock.

Wright finished the drive with a 3-yard scramble for the winning touchdown. He completed 9 of his final 12 pass attempts for 83 yards during that sequence. His total game statistics were 13 for 19 for 138 yards and one touchdown.

The comeback began with a 8-minute, 30-second drive that ended in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Wright to Payton Hayes. The Sycamore defense forced a three-and-out on the following Antioch possession, resulting in a punt from the Sycamore 42.

Miles Marabella pinned the Spartans at their 11-yard line on the ensuing punt. Running back Dylan Curtis carried the ball 34 times earlier in the game. On the final drive, Curtis gained 6 yards on the second play, his last carry of the contest. A 13-yard reception of his was nullified by a penalty.

Wright connected with Alexander Law for 17 yards to start the drive. He later found Jackson MacDonald for 16 yards, moving the team into Antioch territory. Wright stopped the clock twice during the drive, first with 1 minute and 45 seconds remaining and again with 39.2 seconds left.

In the final minutes, Wright threw a 13-yard pass to MacDonald and two consecutive 6-yard passes to Ben Anderson. He then completed a 10-yard pass to MacDonald, leaving him at the Antioch 3-yard line. Wright spiked the ball to stop the clock before running in for the touchdown.

Antioch had one final chance to tie the game. Ethan Patel threw a deep pass to Chance Verden. Ben Anderson caught the ball but it appeared to bounce off his chest. After a review, officials ruled the ball was bumped up before Verden caught it. Because an inadvertent whistle had stopped the play, Antioch received one more untimed snap, which ended when Dylan Curtis intercepted Patel.