Regardless of your loyalties during Joliet Catholic’s 42-35 victory over Providence on Saturday night, you had to be impressed with the Providence offense, guided by junior quarterback Justin Hunniford, who made his first varsity start.
Hunniford completed 29-of-38 passes for 340 yards and three touchdowns. The TDs were 4 yards to Austin Garwood with less than a second remaining in the first half and 20 and 75 yards to Miles Boykin in the second half. There likely will not be many games this season when an area quarterback completes more than 29 passes or throws for more than 340 yards.
“He made great decisions,” Providence coach Mark Coglianese said of Hunniford. “He made big plays when he had to.
“We obviously have work to do defensively, but I’m happy with how we mixed it up offensively.”
Boykin vs. Jones
Joliet Catholic used its standout receiver, Jordan Jones, in the defensive secondary much of the night, and he often covered Boykin one-on-one. It was a fun “game within the game” to watch.
The Hilltoppers’ Anthony McInerny running Hunniford out of bounds a foot short of a first down at the Joliet Catholic 30 with 1:05 left sealed it. On the two plays prior, Jones reached in on a long pass to Boykin and grabbed his arm as the ball fell to the ground, then tackled Boykin after a 10-yard completion to set up the fourth-and-6 and Hunniford’s scramble.
Boykin thought there could have been a pass interference call on the long incompletion. Jones disagreed.
“He caught it and I ripped it from his arms,” Jones said. “I thought it was a fair play.”
Going pink
When Joliet Central visits Joliet West on Oct. 19, players on both sides will wear pick socks in honor of anyone affected by cancer. The cheerleaders and dance teams will wear pink bows.
As a prelude to the Pink Heals with JT Volleyball match Oct. 22 at Central, the West athletic department is selling T-shirts for $15 to wear at the football game to support the two teams and also to support Pink Heals of Joliet. Orders must be in by Sept. 13 to ensure your proper size. Contact the athletic department at West of Central for more information.
Player of the Week
Joliet Catholic senior wingback Mike Ivlow carried 17 times for 310 yards and four long touchdowns in the Hilltoppers’ 42-35 victory over Providence to earn the Herald-News Player of the Week nod.
