PALOS HEIGHTS — Friday was senior night at Chicago Christian, and one senior’s armor shined bright for the Knights against Elmwood Park.
As if scoring six touchdowns, including the game-winner, wasn’t enough for Colby Roundtree, the 5-7, 165-pounder also collected the game-ending interception to seal Chicago Christian’s Metro Suburban East win over Elmwood Park, 38-34.
Roundtree wasted no time starting his personal highlight film. The senior fumbled the opening kickoff, but finally found the handle and returned it for a touchdown.
“That was crazy,” Roundtree said. “I’m really proud of Luke Boss, Stephen Gallagher — basically everyone on the kickoff made key blocks on that play to open it up for me.”
The Tigers showed some fight, however, and twice took the lead. In the second quarter, Elmwood Park kicker Timothy Davis missed on a 23-yard field goal but Chicago Christian was whistled for running into the kicker. Looking at fourth-and-goal at the 3, quarterback Jason Polito-Carlson tucked it into the end zone and the extra point gave the Tigers a 14-13 advantage.
The Tigers (1-6, 0-3) then led 32-31 late in the fourth quarter on a 15-yard keeper by Polito-Carlson. He also ran in the conversion to post the visitors to a three-point cushion with about five minutes remaining.
However, with the help of Elmwood Park penalties, Roundtree had one more TD in him.
The Knights (3-4, 2-1) marched to inside the 20 when the Tigers’ defense committed a facemask violation. Then, with third-and-9 at the 19, a horse collar tackle breathed new life into the Knights. Roundtree burst in with the winning TD with 34.5 seconds remaining.
“Colby is awesome,” coach Jim Bolhuis said.
“That’s just what you expect from him,” senior quarterback Christian Bolhuis said. “He had a great night and it’s a great way to end his home career.”
