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Action in the trenches may decide big Richards-Stagg North showdownBy Joe ShrobaThe going is about to get a whole lot tougher for the Richards football team.Richards’ first six football opponents have combined for a total of 10 wins. The Bulldogs next three opponents — Stagg, Shepard and Oak Lawn — together have won 15 games.In terms of sheer talent, Richards Coach Gary Korhonen says Stagg is the toughest.“I've said it all summer and I'll sayOanw of W—k_it now. when you go up and down the line in terms of personnel, they have the most,” said Korhonen. “This game will be the biggest test for our defense because they have such an outstanding offense. They have some big-time players.”When Stagg (5-1, 3-1) and Richards (6-0, 3-0) tee it up Friday night in Oak Lawn, fans are likely to see two teams strikingly similar in design. Both are big and physical up front, with an excellent running game and a dangerous passing attack The difference is, Richards is playing its best ball of the season thus far while the Chargers have struggled in their last two outings.Jamie Harrington’s club suffered its first loss two weeks ago, 14-7 to Shepard, then rebounded with a 28-18 win over Oak Lawn after trailing at half-time Richards represents the third straight unbeaten opponent the Chargers will face.“I like our football team. They’re a great bunch of kids, said Harrington. “But Richards is a great football team.I think their defense is excellent. The challenge that lies before us is putting points on the board against them.”Stagg has excellent skill players in quarterback Kevin Bay-Andersen and running backs Ed Amendola (816 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Jerry Pez-dek (409 yards), who sat out the Oak Lawn game. The Chargers’ offensive line, anchored by guards Brett Malekovic (6-0,200) and Mark Lovrich (6-2, 240) and tackle Ben Infelise (6-2, 251), has cleared holes each and every week. Stagg is averaging 29 points per game.Richards has allowed 36 points total, but even that is deceiving. The Bulldogs have allowed just two touchdowns over the last 11 quarters. In the last eight quarters the firststring defense has played, Richards has outscored its opposition 93-0.The return of two-way tackle Anthony Jones (6-5, 251) makes the Bulldogs’ defense all the more imposing. If you’re looking for a great head-to-head match-up, Jones will line up right over Infelise.“Jamie (Harrington) is not afraid to throw on first down,” said Korhonen. “We’ve seen that three games in a row.”If the Chargers do throw on first down, they'll do it against a defense that has 12 interceptions among the 19 takeaways they’ve made this season. Defensive backs Marvin O’Neal and Darrell Mitchell each have three interceptions; Steve Kowalewicz and Ross Krueger have two each.While Stagg will have its hands full moving the ball against Richards, it will be an equal struggle to stop the Bulldogs when they have the ball.Richards has become more offensive-minded lately. David Kene-brew has thrown for five touchdowns and run for two more in the last three games. Marcus Ivy is perhaps the area’s top deep threat, averaging 24.5 yards per catch, and tailback Jesse Jackson has returned to top form after a slow start.“What's starting to happen,” said Korhonen, “is we’ve had a team concept of defense all year, but now we’re starting to have that same concept with the offense.“Six kids are going both ways, andi uunK iney tiau more oi a uetensivementality early in the year. Now it seems like we’re getting into an offensive concept as well, with a lot of people contributing.”The Chargers had problems handling Oak Lawn in the first half last week, but recovered to shut out the Spartans in the second half.“We were a little shocked by Oak Lawn’s offense, said Harrington. “But we came through in the second half and played well. The defense seems to be improving week by week.”It’s Homecoming Week for Richards, but Korhonen doubts his team will be distracted from the task athand.“The kids are mature enough to handle the hype and distractions,” he said.Prep Pigskin Picks...Larry Odell (69-21)Kevin Kelly (68-22)Joe Shroba (68-22)Bob Lemon(64-26)M.J. Starahak (63-27)Alan Macey(63-27)Scott Markin (60-30)Thornrldg#at Homtwood-FtoaamoocH-F28-7H-F35-7H-F47-12H-F44-14H-F42-21H-F28-8H-F41-7Stagg at RichardsRichards24-8Richards28-7Richards23-6Richards27-21Richards30-28Richards22-13Stagg17-16Argo at SandburgSandburg27-0Sandburg32-0Sandburg41-0Sandburg30-7Sandburg35-14Sandburg304Sandburg214Lincoln-Way at JollstWestJoliet West14-13Lincoln-Way 16-14Joliet West 16-12Lincoln-Way 24-14Lincoln-Way28-21Lincoln-Way17-14Lincoln-Way 28-16Hillcraat at OakForaatHillcrest42-6Hillcrest44-30Hillcrest18-6Hillcrest32-12Hillcrest35-20Hillcrest26-12Hillcrest31-21TF South at BremenBremen22-6Bremen35-14Bremen21-16Bremen28-22Bremen28-10Bremen22-20Bremen24-7Rich East at Rich SouthRich South 22-16Rich South14-13Rich East 20-19Rich East 27-26Rich East 28-27Rich South 33-28Rich South13-12Crata-Monaaat Rich CentralRich Central 30-13Rich Central 34-6Rich Central 24-6Rich Central 33-26Rich Central 30-14Rich Central 324Rich Central31-14Horace Mann at Providence CatholicProvidence33-7Providence494Providence71-0Providence36-6Providence44-14Providence344Providence474Andrewat RaavlaAndrew21-0Andrew24-0Andrew7-6Andrew31-7Andrew48-12Andrew134Andrew144Bloom at ThornwoodThornwood27-14Bloom24-20Thornwood17-16Thornwood26-21Bloom35-28Thornwood30-18Thornwood21-20Bloom Trail at ThorntonThornton24-8Thornton36-14Thornton22-7Thornton35-13Thornton28-6Thornton34-13Thornton15-12Shepard at Oak LawnShepard16-12Shepard20-6Oak Lawn21-19Shepard28-24Shepard30-21Shepard144Shepard24-21Tlnlay Park at TF NorthTF North 14-12Tinley Park 28-22TF North 16-6TF North 24-18Tinley Park 28-12TF North 164TF North27-20Brother Rica at ML CarmelMt. Carmel 20-6Mt. Carmel 16-9Mt. Carmel14-13Mt. Carmel 28-27Mt. Carmel 42-35Mt. Carmel24-12Mt. Carmel34-17
Newspaper Details
Orland Park Star
Orland Park, Illinois, US
Thu, Oct 17, 1991
Page 16
Full Page
Clipped by
Cody L.
USA 29 Apr 2018
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