By Mark Gregory
@Hear_The_Beard
Anthony Vespo
The last time the Bolingbrook football team failed to qualify for the IHSA playoffs was the 1991-92 season when the Raiders posted a 5-4 record and fell short of the postseason.
This year, that same 5-4 mark will qualify the Raiders for the Class 8A playoffs, however, Bolingbrook has to secure five wins first.
The Raiders took the first step in reaching that mark with a 27-22 win over Lockport Friday night.
Bolingbrook has shown improvement every week, but mistakes and injuries have cost the team wins.
“We have to figure some things out and we need to get some guys back, we are still struggling,” said Raiders’ coach John Ivlow. “If we can get a few more guys healthy and get in, we will be alright. We aren’t afraid to play anyone, we just need to get in. we have three more shots and that is what we are looking for.”
In the next two games, Bolingbrook will face a pair of SouthWest Suburban Conference teams who are also fighting for a spot in the playoffs in Lincoln-Way Central and Thornwood. A week nine match-up with recent state power Homewood-Flossmoor will end the regular season.
To get in the position it is, the Raiders used several weapons to get past Lockport.
Bolingbrook surpassed 300 yards rushing with eight running backs and needed all of them to hold on for the win over the Porters.
“When we go that up tempo, we need to have that,” Ivlow said.
The backs themselves also enjoy sharing the load and the credit.
“It all starts with our line and the receivers block,” Jazontae Howard said. “The cuts were there and we all made them and we got good positive yards.”
“We have a lot of variety in our running backs,” added Brandon Walters. “It doesn’t matter who carries, someone will produce. We are getting better every week. We practice harder every week and we will be hard to beat.”
Howard posted 77 yards on nine carries to pace the Raiders, while Walters added 61 yards on 16 totes.
Getting to the playoffs is the goal for all the Raiders and they knew Friday night was a big step forward.
“We had to win this one – it was like a playoff game for us,” Howard said. “Every week we are progressing and by the time the playoffs come, we should be OK.”