Quincy Woods isn’t Aaron Bailey.
But filling in at quarterback for his mentor, Woods did his best impression of the injured quarterback by scoring three touchdowns as No. 16 Bolingbrook ran over Lockport by a score of 34-10 in a SouthWest Suburban Blue matchup Friday night at Lockport.
The victory improved the defending Class 8A state champion Raiders to 7-2 and 5-2 in the SWSC Blue. Lockport finished the season at 1-8 and 1-6.
“It’s big shoes to fill,” Woods said. “Aaron is one of the top prospects in Illinois, but I have to go out and do what I have to do. I might be a sophomore, but I feel like a senior out there on the field.”
Bailey, a senior, suffered a knee injury on the second play of the game in a week six loss at Lincoln-Way East. He hasn’t played since and is scheduled to have it looked at by a doctor on Monday.
But even without their offensive leader, the Raiders had a trio of 100-yard rushers in the win. Woods finished with 12 carries for 103 yards. He set the tone by breaking free for an 80-yard touchdown run for a 6-0 lead with 3:42 left in the first quarter. Just under two minutes later, he added a 21-yard touchdown scamper.
“If it wasn’t for the O-line, I wouldn’t have been able to do that.” Woods said of his scoring runs. “I’m really hoping Aaron is back for the playoffs, but if I have to, I’ll step up.”
Omar Stover scored on a 60-yard burst in the second quarter and added the two-point conversion run for a 22-0 lead, which Bolingbrook carried to intermission. The senior finished with 14 carries for 160 yards and went over the 1,000 yard mark on the season.
Lockport got on the board when Aaron Ambrose kicked a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter. But 59 seconds later, junior Jaden Huff (14 carries, 144 yards) raced 71 yards for a touchdown and a 28-3 Raider lead. Woods scored from two-yards out on a fourth-and-goal play with 1:42 to play. The Porters capped the scoring when Billy Gleaves raced down the right side for a 70-yard touchdown on the ensuing play from scrimmage.
“The record wasn’t what we wanted, but the kids played hard all season,” Lockport coach Don McKillip said. “What hurt us was speed and we had the injury bug all season.”
Bolingbrook has also had its share of injuries, and will have to wait and see on Bailey.
“He’s not practicing, and until he’s practicing he won’t play,” Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow said. “We still have plenty of guys that make plays. Quincy is not Aaron, but he’s a good high school quarterback.”
When the playoffs start next weekend Bolingbrook will be there for the 21st straight season. The Raiders haven’t had a losing season since 1981 and are making their 25th playoff appearance since 1985. This is also the 20th time since 1985 that they have finished the regular season with at least seven wins.
The Porters will miss the playoffs for the first time in four seasons. Lockport’s eight losses are its most since having back-to-back 1-8 seasons in 1993 and 1994.
