THE SKINNY
After starting the season 2-4, Antioch ripped off three straight wins to qualify for the playoffs, as the Sequoits have one of the state’s best strength-of-schedule numbers (43 or more). Friday’s win, 46-15 over Vernon Hills, was an Antioch ground-game special, with three runners topping the century mark in yardage.
TURNING POINT
Up 12-0 late in the first half, Antioch drove 98 yards on the ground, with Alan Taylor racing 54 yards for the score with 2:14 to go before the break. Then, 1:24 later, Griffin Hill raced 76 yards to the house for a 26-0 halftime lead.
THE STAR
Anthony Cloe’s 44-yard interception return on the game’s first possession set up Antioch (5-4, 5-1 North Suburban Prairie) at point-blank range for a 6-0 lead. Later, he scooped up a Vernon Hills fumble and returned it 28 yards for a score.
BY THE NUMBERS
In the first half, Antioch ran the ball 28 times for 279 yards and had scoring drives of 82, 98 and 87 yards. Three Sequoit runners had 100-yard nights — Cameron Corey (19-100), Taylor (9-137) and Hill (10-137). As a team, Antioch ran 54 times for 416 yards. They did not complete either pass they threw. Connor McNamara finished 11-of 24 for 149 yards and two touchdowns to Robby Nardini for the Cougars (3-6, 3-3).
QUOTABLE
“If feels great to make the playoffs. We can’t wait to play again. The offensive line was tremendous with all the blocks tonight. The defense was amazing. We made big plays in all three phases. This was probably our best game of the year.” — Corey
