Comets nearly upset Lisle, Coalers and Wildcats win

Reed-Custer came close in pulling off the upset of the season, scaring undefeated Lisle in a 24-21 overtime loss.

The Comets owned a 21-7 lead in the fourth against the only team in the Interstate Eight with a perfect record. Reed-Custer got its touchdowns in the air with a pair of passes from quarterback Josh Loomis to AJ Cherry and a third to Nick Mitchell, silencing the Lisle home fans at Benedictine University field Friday.

But the Lions turned the tied, narrowing the gap to 21-14 midway in the fourth before tying things at 21-21 in the closing minute. In overtime the Comets got first crack at scoring but was held at bay. Lisle then kicked a field goal to win it and improve to 6-0 overall.

The loss drops the Comets to 2-4 and the threat of elimination from the playoffs even if they happen to win the final three games of the season. The Comets will have to defeat Wilmington (3-3), Coal City (5-1) and Sandwich (3-3) in that order if they hope to make the playoff threshold with a 5-4 record.

COALERS BEAT SANDWICH

Coal City guaranteed themselves a playoff berth Friday night at Sandwich by shutting out the Indians 21-0.

The Coalers scored all of their points in the first half, anchored by quarterback Payton Hutchings, back from injury, who threw a 25-yard scoring strike to Asa Cooper, followed by an 81-yarder to Cooper in the second quarter and a night cap 14-yard pass to Kade McKinney to seal the deal.

Hutchings finished with 240 total yards on 11-for-22 passing with the three touchdowns and two interceptions. Coal City gained 125 yards on the ground, led by Connor Skubic with 11 carries for 56 yards while Daniel Jezik had 14 carries for 47 yards.

Coal City improves to 5-1 and remains in first place in the I-8 Large conference with a 3-0 record with only Manteno, their next opponent, to defeat. 

WILDCATS ROUT HERSCHER

The Wildcats gave up a touchdown to the visiting Tigers for starters but never relented from then on as they rolled to a 63-28 victory to improve to 3-3.

Conner Dempsay had a stellar night, scoring five of Wilmington's nine touchdowns, intercepting two Herscher passes and blocking a field goal. The senior running back racked up 278 yards on just 13 attempts for a 21.4 yards per carry average.

Teammate Trey Shaw was impressive too, rushing for 138 yards including a touchdown while kicking 8-for-8 in extra points. Wilmington finished with 553 yards, 26 from passing, 527 rushing. Wilmington quarterback Keaton Hopwood made the best of his passes, throwing 3-for-3 for two touchdowns (to Dempsay and Cameron Harbor).

The Wildcats keep their playoff hopes alive with the victory and can't afford a loss with Reed-Custer, Streator and Plano left in the regular season. Wilmington will play at Reed-Custer Friday.