Reese ‘The Beast’ Griffin helps Taft beat Curie

Reese Griffin kept popping up in all the right places. The junior lineman played a key role in Taft’s 14-12 victory against visiting Curie on Saturday.

He wasn’t one of the Eagles’ standouts last season and he wasn’t one of the names coach John Tsarouchas mentioned in the preseason, but the home crowd has clearly warmed to the 6-2, 260-pound junior. The public-address announcer even revealed a nickname for Griffin after he came up with a big sack in the third quarter: “The Beast.”

“[Griffin] was a big part of helping the defense out and making plays today, and he was a big part of those conversions in the fourth quarter that we needed to win the game,” Tsarouchas said. “He’s been the most pleasant surprise on our team so far through four weeks.”

Griffin spent the first two years on offense. He made the transition to offensive/defensive lineman this season.

“Reese is a really big, athletic guy that wanted to play with the ball in his hand,” Tsarouchas said. “With a little bit of maturity, he embraced the move to the line.”

“I’m really happy about the decision now,” Griffin said. “All credit to my teammates. They helped me get through the big change. They really worked me, and it kinda brought out a fire in me, sparked something.”

Taft’s Dexter Stigall (12) looks for a receiver. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Taft’s Dexter Stigall (12) picks up yardage against Curie. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Taft’s Roberto Solgado (26) gets a lift from Demetri Georgopoulos (76) after scoring a touchdown. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Taft’s Reese Griffin (50) blocks as the Eagles attempt a pass against Curie. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Taft’s Mack Knutson (20) bobbles the ball but hangs on for a reception. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Taft’s Roberto Salgado (26) carries the ball against Curie. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Taft’s Demetri Georgopoulos (76) blocks Curie’s Tobias Bell (18). | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Kevo Wesley (52) blocks against Taft’s Aidan Spencer (53). | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Curie’s Damarius Johns (7) looks for a receiver. | Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times

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Taft (2-2, 1-0 Illini Red Bird) badly needed that spark. The Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter against Curie (1-3, 0-1) but struggled offensively in the second half.

“We had to deal with adversity and got ourselves in a tough game, but we’ll be better for it in the long run,” Tsarouchas said. “We are disappointed a little bit in how we played.”

Dexter Stigall IV had a five-yard touchdown run in the first quarter for Taft, and Roberto Salgado punched one in from two yards out early in the second quarter. The Eagles held on after that.

“The game had its ups and downs, but we held them and pulled it out,” Griffin said. “Especially that last drive, it was really great. We held them and then got the yards we needed.”

Stigall, as usual, was all over the field. He played quarterback, running back, safety, receiver, punter and punt returner. Tsarouchas said Stigall can play any position.

“I was all around today,” Stigall said. “Man, I love it. When you can do so much for the team, it is just great.”

It has been a memorable week for the talented senior. He made an oral commitment to Division II Minnesota State-Mankato.

“When I walked on the campus, it felt like home, and my family was on board with it, so I thought it was time to make a decision,” Stigall said.

Stigall had 22 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown and was 3-for-4 passing for 40 yards. Salgado had 17 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles didn’t break any big runs but picked up just enough key yards in the second half to keep the Condors at bay.

Curie quarterback Damarius Johns continued his solid season. The senior was 15-for-26 passing for 151 yards and a touchdown. The Condors weren’t able to get much going on the ground.

“It was tough, but when those times come, you have to become a man, and I think we did that as a team today,” Stigall said. “We just kept trying to chip, chip wood until the tree fell.”