Riley Lees puts up big numbers again as Libertyville rolls Lincoln Park

CHICAGO — If a fantasy league existed for high school football players, Libertyville’s Riley Lees would be a first-round draft choice.

During the regular season, Lees put up Peyton Manning-like scoring totals. Saturday night’s first-round Class 7A playoff game mirrored the regular season for the Wildcats’ junior quarterback. Playing on the road at Lane Stadium, Lees was responsible for five of No. 11 seed Libertyville’s six first-half touchdowns. The Wildcats (7-3) pounded No. 6-seeded Lincoln Park, leading 41-0 at halftime on their way to a 47-0 victory.

Libertyville advances to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2012.

“This was a confidence builder,” Lees said. “We’re excited we get to play another week.”

The seeds could easily have been flipped. Five of Libertyville’s nine regular-season opponents made the playoffs while the Lions (7-3) faced two postseason teams. The disparity in size and speed became apparent on the Wildcats’ opening possession. After forcing a punt four minutes into the game, Libertyville took over on the Lincoln Park 47-yard line. On the drive’s fourth play, Lees hit a streaking Henry Schmidt in stride for a 35-yard touchdown. That began a familiar pattern: the Wildcats defense forcing three-and-outs and the offense scoring touchdowns.

If there was one concern the defense had this week, it was containing Lincoln Park senior quarterback Derrick Barnes. Pressure on the outside from senior defensive end Jordan McInerney and junior Ben Kimpler, and on the inside from senior nose tackle Mark Dunsing, kept Barnes in the pocket and prevented him from making plays with his legs.

“We wanted to contain him. We knew if they were in shotgun, they were going to pass,” McInerney said. “We were good at our pass rush in this game.”

The Lions managed just 31 total yards on their first five possessions.

Of Lees’ five first-half touchdowns, three were on runs and two came through the air. His second touchdown throw was a perfectly thrown ball to senior wide receiver Nick Rossetti, who raced up the left sideline for a 78-yard score to give Libertyville a 41-0 lead with 2:30 left in the first half.

Lees finished with 110 yards rushing on seven carries and was 4-of-8 passing for 185 yards.

“[Lees] could be scrambling 20 yards back and next thing you know he’s running for an 80-yard touchdown. You never know what’s going to happen with that kid,” Schmidt said.

Libertyville will play Addison Trail at home in the second round after the Blazers defeated Lake Zurich 7-3 on Saturday.

“I think it’s important,” Wildcats coach Mike Jones said of the team hosting a playoff game. “For a lot of these kids, Stevenson [a 34-14 loss on Oct. 24] was their last home game. It gives them a chance to get that bad taste out of their mouth, they hope.”