Stopped early, Patriots finish off Z-B
Most of the current Stevenson players weren't yet born the last time coach Bill Mitz punted on fourth-and-1.
So it was pretty much business as usual when the Patriots lined up on the ball at their own 47-yard line on their opening drive of the game.
Stevenson's Joshua Vravick was stopped for no gain, however, by Zion-Benton linebacker Craig Williams and four plays later, 5-foot-6 speedster Jaevuan Moton scooted around the right side for a 28-yard touchdown. The host Zee-Bees kept up the pressure for most of the night before Stevenson secured a 35-19 victory Friday in North Suburban Lake action.
This game featured several sudden shifts of momentum. In the third quarter, the Patriots (3-2, 3-0) drove inside the Zion 5-yard line ready to build on a 21-7 lead when Michael Praijak had a 21-yard field goal attempt blocked and it was returned 90 yards for a touchdown by Zion's Eric Pasiewicz. The extra point was also blocked.
A few plays later, Stevenson receiver Tyler Radtke was hit hard as he hauled in a third-down pass from Zach Wujcik. The referee ruled it a catch and fumble, which was returned for a 42-yard touchdown by Tavaris Thomas, the same player who knocked the ball loose.
Suddenly, the Zee-Bees (0-5, 0-2) had a chance to tie the game with a 2-point conversion, but Stevenson defensive end Derek Chmielewski batted down a pass to keep the score 21-19.
"Those two plays in the third quarter, I don't know if I've ever been involved in something like that," Mitz said.
To counter Zion's comeback, Mitz resorted to a familiar game plan, using a three-back offense to play some traditional Stevenson smash-mouth football. Vravick's 35-yard kickoff return ignited a 56-yard scoring drive that gave the Patriots some breathing room. Matthew Harris' 55-yard run then set up the clinching score 2:29 remaining as Stevenson didn't attempt a pass in the fourth quarter.
Harris (21 carries, 188 yards) and Mark Weisman (20 carries, 163 yards) both had huge games running behind the Patriots' massive offensive line of Ben Samson, Justin Fauntleroy, Turron Washington, Ryan Urbon and Thomas Munger.
"It was a crazy first half, but the line really stepped up," Harris said. "It was just easy to pound it down at the end."
Leading 7-0 in the second quarter, the Zee-Bees put together a 12-play drive before Stevenson junior Erick King intercepted a pass near the end zone. On the next snap, Weisman burst through the left side for a 64-yard touchdown sprint that tied the game. Another pick by Brad Backer set up Weisman's 7-yard touchdown run and Stevenson led 14-7 at halftime.