North Chicago converted two Round Lake turnovers into touchdowns in the first 57 seconds and went onto level the visiting Panthers 50-6 on Saturday in the North Suburban Conference Prairie Division opener for both teams.
North Chicago (3-0) needs to go 3-3 in its final six games to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Next up is powerful Antioch on Friday.
On the second play from scrimmage, Round Lake quarterback John Ridley coughed the ball up with six Warhawk defenders pouring in on him. Khalil Rogers picked up the fumble and took it 19 yards to the end zone just 14 seconds into the game.
On their next offensive play, the Panthers fumbled again, with Allan White recovering on the 20. Three plays later, North Chicago junior quarterback JaVairius Amos-Mays completed an 18-yard strike to sophomore wideout Jamero Shelton to put the Warhawks up 14-0 and the rout was on.
Every single play from scrimmage in the first half was snapped from the Round Lake side of the field.
The ball was on the North Chicago side only when it had to kick off from its 40.
“We wanted to come out and show that we weren’t go to play games no matter what their record was. We wanted to show everybody how good we are,” said the Warhawks’ Rogers.
There were 11 turnovers in the ragged contest, with North Chicago committing five.
“Offensively, we still have a lot of work to do,” said Hawks coach Glen Kozlowski. “Defensively we have to practice better, but they played great. That’s really been our signature all year.”
