Burlington Central’s defense helped carry the Rockets to a showdown for the Big Northern East title game Friday, but couldn’t carry them all the way to the title.
That’s because Johnsburg’s own defense pitched a shutout, holding the Rockets to 100 total yards in Burlington Central’s 7-0 loss.
Bailey Stefka’s 32-yard touchdown run ended a 67-yard drive on the Skyhawks’ first possession and stood as the only points.
The Rockets held Johnsburg to 159 yards and kept the Skyhawks from scoring after their offense gave up the ball at their own 15-yard line. But Johnsburg did the Rockets one better, coming up with a goal line stand at the 2-yard line to start the fourth quarter.
Johnsburg held Central’s Trevor Davison to 12 yards rushing on 10 carries, while Rockets rushing leader Jason Berango had negative 2 yards in his return from a knee injury.
Rockets quarterback Adam Skirmont completed 8-of-20 for 91 yards, including six for 82 yards to Davison.
Central (5-3, 5-1) next tries to lock up a playoff berth at winless Rockford Christian Friday.
St. Charles North 42, St. Charles East 0: The North Stars (6-2, 4-2) locked up a playoff berth and eliminated East (3-5, 3-3) behind 204 passing yards and three TD passes from senior quarterback Nathan Didier in the Upstate Eight River.
Cary-Grove 56, Dundee-Crown 0: The unbeaten Trojans held Dundee-Crown (2-6, 0-4) to 68 total yards and running back Malik Dunner to 13 yards rushing. Chargers quarterback Jeff Atherton completed 3-of-18 for 25 yards with two interceptions in the Fox Valley Valley loss.
Crystal Lake South 24, Jacobs 14: Crystal Lake South kept Jacobs (4-4, 1-3) on the edge of the playoffs. It will come down to next week against McHenry for Jacobs, which gave up 112 rushing yards to Kyle Bartush in the game.
Crystal Lake Central 65, Hampshire 20: Hampshire (3-5, 1-4) was eliminated from the playoffs despite a big night from Xavier Bennett, who caught six passes for 105 yards and touchdowns of 17 and 20 yards from Matthew Bridges.
Westminster Christian 49, Christian Liberty 0
