New Trier rolls Deerfield for best start since 1996

DEERFIELD — New Trier took another big step toward earning a playoff berth Friday night with a 43-14 win over Deerfield, improving its record to 4-0.

The Trevians are off to their best start since 1996, when they started 11-0. They went on to finish 11-1 and made it to the quarterfinals of the Class 6A playoffs before losing to Wheaton Warrenville South. This year’s start has been impressive, with the Trevians earning four key wins before they start CSL South play next week.

After failing to score and falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter Friday, New Trier scored 22 second-quarter points. Junior Colin Casas made key plays on both sides of the ball, helping the Trevians secure the road win.

“We adjusted, we figured everything out and made a few switches,” Casas said. “We just took off from there when we made those adjustments.”

Casas finished with two receptions for 68 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Clay Czyzynski.

Deerfield (1-3) got the scoring started early in the first quarter as it blocked a field goal attempt on New Trier’s opening drive. The Warriors marched down the field and capped off a seven-play drive with a John Fisher 6-yard touchdown run. Fisher finished the game with 88 yards on 19 carries.

After that possession, the Warriors couldn’t establish any rhythm and struggled to put together drives. Fisher’s 8-yard run late in the fourth quarter capped the Warriors’ scoring.

“Our defensive staff did a great job with the changes they made,” said New Trier coach Brian Doll, who is in his first season with the Trevians. “When you miss some tackles, it results in big plays. We changed some things and we were able to shut them down for the rest of the game.”

New Trier found the end zone for the first time on a Kevin Mulhern 21-yard run in the second quarter, and a converted 2-point conversion gave the Trevians an 8-7 lead. Mulhern was responsible for a bulk of the team’s offense, rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns. His last touchdown put an exclamation point on the game as he broke a 45-yard run for the score.

“Once our offensive line start clicking, we get going and I don’t think there’s a better line in the state,” Mulhern said. “It’s awesome to see what they can do out there.”