By Mark Gregory
@Hear_The_Beard
Lovell Howard
Just as it has several times this season, Plainfield Central had chances Saturday afternoon during a rainy homecoming Saturday.
The Wildcats, however, could not capitalize on the opportunities and fell 20-6 to Joliet West.
Plainfield Central had its chances early in the game as Jordan Saxon intercepted Jaxson Aubrey and on the next possession Kamrin Dolbee blocked a punt, but the Tiger defense held tight on both occasions.
“There is no doubt about it that we have to take care of opportunities,” said Central coach Jon Pereiro. “Opportunities for us are never going to just fall in our laps, we have to go take them and unfortunately we didn’t do that today. The kids play hard and I am always proud of them. We have a good group of kids, but we have to go take opportunities when they present themselves and we just didn’t get that done today.”
Joliet West coach Jason Aubrey knew the Tigers had to stop any momentum Central may have had.
“They are not a bad team. They drove the ball down the field and they made some plays,” Aubrey said of the Wildcats. “Fortunately for us, the defense stepped up and stopped them. They made the plays that needed to be made when we needed them made. Our defense bends, bends, bends, but we don’t break. If you give a team like that hope, they are going to feel good and they are not a bad team. That quarterback (Marcus Hayes) is good, (Lovell Houston, Jr.) is a really good running back and they are big up front. They are going to win some games, it is just going to take them some time. I think Jon is doing a great job, he will get them going.”
Kendrick Roach opened the scoring for Joliet West when he took a snap from the quarterback position and plunged in from three yards out with 9 minutes left in the second quarter.
On the next series, Tulloch scored on a fourth down play to go ahead 13-0.
When the weather cleared just before the intermission, the West pass game opened back up and the screen game that the Tigers have used all season came to life.
Jaxson Aubrey would go on to complete a 68-yard touchdown pass to Omari Ferguson in the fourth quarter after Hayes had brought Plainfield to within 13-6.
“Our defense did a great job today, Joliet West’s offensive side of the ball is dangerous and our defense played hard and played well,” Pereiro said. “We have some great kids on that defensive side of the ball – especially our senior leaders.”
Hayes carried the ball 12 times for 78 yards on the game, but split time behind center with senior quarterback Cam Cercone. When Cercone was quarterback, Hayes often lined up at wide receiver.
“We like what Cam Cercone, who is a senior, we like what he gives us at that position. Marcus does a great job, too, and he is a threat all over the field, so we are looking to do some things and open the pass game,” Pereiro said. “They rush game has been good in the past – it was not today – I give a lot of credit to Joliet West. Their defensive line is good, their linebacking crew did a good job and they are well coached. We needed to create another dimension on offense so that is why we are putting Cam in there. That is not a slight on Marcus.”
What was a positive for the Wildcats was the second game ever on the new turf. That, mixed with a heavy rain all morning, showed the homecoming crowd why District 202 needed turf.
“It is fantastic,” Pereiro said. “Our facilities are second to none – from the turf to the video board to the stands. I said it last week and I will say it again – I want to thank the district – that is a unbelievable gift and we just have to do more to make sure we are earning it.”