The Fenwick High School football team was on the verge of becoming the first in program history to make a state final.
That was until the officials spolied the Friars’ dream season, incorrectly ruling on the final play in regulation of the Friars’ 18-17 overtime loss to visiting Plainfield North Saturday in the Class 7A semifinals at Triton College.
In the closing seconds of the fourth quarter, Fenwick quarterback Jacob Keller (17-for-30, 170 passing yards, TD) was called for an intentional grounding penalty on a fourth-and 15 deep inside Friars’ territory. By IHSA rules (see sidebar), Keller’s throw should have been the last play; however, the officials ruled that Plainfield North be allowed one untimed down from the Fenwick five-yard line.
With the Tigers regaining possession at the Fenwick five-yard line, it wasn’t evident intitally whether Plainfield North would attempt a game-tying field goal or go for the win. The Tigers opted for the former on their aforementioned untimed down. The decision proved wise as Connor Peplow’s successful field goal knotted the game at 10-all heading into overtime.
In overtime, the Friars struck first when Conner Lillig (26 carries, 62 yards) scored on a 1-yard run and Connor Hendzel kicked the extra point to make the score 17-10. Plainfield North responded with a touchdown and successful two-point conversion (both by running back Dillon McCarthy) to pull of an improbable and incorrect 18-17 victory.
Although Plainfield North put more points on the scoreboard, the Friars won the game. So the final lesson of the season for the Friars was life is sometimes unfair. And it’s a bitter lesson the players won’t ever forget.
For the majority of the game, the Friars dominated defensively. Lorente Blakeney and Jason Ivery had clutch interceptions to quell a couple of Plainfield North drives and Fenwick senior linebacker Sean Moorman (11 tackles, 2 sacks) led a swarming defense.
Fenwick appeared to produce enough offense when Keller threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior Jack Henige with 6:10 left in the second quarter. Hendzel kicked the PAT give Fenwick a 7-0 lead. Mike O’Laughlin had eight catches for 95 yards and Sherman Martin four receptions for 45 yards.
Hendzel added a 22-yard field goal midway through the third quarter, extending the lead to 10-0.
Those scores, coupled with the Friars’ incredible effort on defense, appeared like the blueprint to victory.
Fenwick missed a few other scoring chances in the first half, however, when Keller was picked off by cornerback Rob Ostapkowicz in the end zone and JJ Frey recovered a fumble on a Keller-to-Lillig handoff at the Plainfield North 10.
While the Friars made some costly mistakes on offense, the Tigers struggled even more. Plainfield North didn’t even even move the chains for its first down until 4:42 remained before halftime. Three-and-out offensive series were common for Plainfield North most of the night.
Peristence paid off though as running back Zach Nadle finally put the Tigers on the scoreboard via a 1-yard run with 26.2 seconds left in the third quarter to whittle their deficit to 10-7.
More importantly, Plainfield North seized momentum entering the fourth quarter. Coupled with the Friars’ nightmarish ending in regulation, Plainfield North somehow emerged with its best win in program history.
The Tigers (11-2) will face East St. Louis (13-0) in the 7A championship game Saturday, Nov. 26 at 4 p.m. at Memorial Stadium on the University of Illinois campus.
With the loss, Fenwick finishes 11-2. The Friars had a remarkable season, highlighted by a Chicago Catholic League Green Division championship and semifinals appearance in the state playoffs (only third team in program history to achieve that milestone).
The Friars also defeated 2015 state champions Phillips and Montini, opened their new home stadium at Triton College and celebrated Keller and Mike O’Laughlin’s recognition as All-State players in Class 7A.
