Four Downs: Oswego's playoff chances, Naperville North's Jacob Bell sparkles, Loyola's Ryan Fitzgerald rests
Oswego wide receiver Jeremiah Cain ran into the end zone for a touchdown, leaped and dunked the football over the goal post after his first score against Minooka on Friday.
The Northern Iowa recruit didn’t even receive a penalty for the stylish celebration, another sign that things are going the Panthers’ way this season.
Oswego is undefeated and has a shutout win against Joliet Catholic. That’s a rare feather in the cap for a Southwest Prairie football team.
The Panthers’ first-team defense has allowed only three TDs this season. Oswego’s defensive line is fierce and linebackers Carson Cooney (Iowa), Michael Claycombe and Easton Ruby are smart and fast.
The last Southwest Prairie team to advance past the second round of the playoffs in Class 8A was Minooka in 2019. Oswego, with a top-notch defense and a talented offense led by quarterback Brett Connolly, has a chance to equal that and do more this postseason.
“This is a special group,” Panthers coach Brian Cooney said. “They love to train, they love to hit the weight room. They just love the process of football. No one is super excited about practice but these guys like practice.”
Naperville North’s highlight reel
Standing out in this year full of star quarterbacks isn’t easy, but Naperville North’s Jacob Bell is making a habit of it.
The Ball State recruit led the Huskies into the Super 25 after Week 7. Then last week he put up some video game numbers in a 63-62 double-overtime win against Homewood-Flossmoor.
Bell finished 27 for 39 for 330 yards with nine total touchdowns, seven passing and two rushing.
Next up is another test against a tricky Sandburg team on Friday.
Ryan Fitzgerald sits out Loyola’s win at Carmel
Iowa recruit Ryan Fitzgerald didn’t play in Loyola’s 34-16 win on the road at Carmel in Week 8. Fitzgerald injured his hamstring in Week 2 at Glenbard West. He missed the second half of that game and the Ramblers’ Week 3 loss to St. Francis.
Fitzgerald said he was rehabbing while playing after leading Loyola to a win against Providence in Week 7.
After the win against Carmel, Loyola coach Beau Desherow told the North Shore Record that he gave Fitzgerald the week off "to completely heal so he’s ready for the playoffs."
Sophomore quarterback Dom Maloney threw three TD passes against Carmel and has made two starts this season. But I’d guess that Fitzgerald doesn’t want to miss the game at Mount Carmel on Friday.
Week 9 showdowns
Loyola at Mount Carmel is just one of the excellent games in Week 9.
Top-ranked, undefeated Lincoln-Way East hosts undefeated No. 10 Naperville Central in its biggest test of the season so far.
The best game of the year in the Public League is Saturday at Gately. No. 16 Morgan Park takes on rival Simeon.
There’s a great matchup in the Mid-Suburban League with No. 22 Barrington at No. 19 Palatine and keep an eye on Nazareth at St. Francis on Friday as well.