Cary-Grove beat Prairie Ridge on Friday in Crystal Lake. The Trojans lived up to their preseason hype and running back Logan Abrams provided the major highlight with his 77-yard TD run in the third quarter.
But Prairie Ridge junior Luke Vanderwiel stole the show. The junior quarterback was sensational, with 42 carries for 184 yards and 2 TDs. His decision-making in the triple-option offense was exquisite.
“[Vanderwiel] is an amazing runner,” Cary-Grove linebacker Charlie Ciske said. “He can cut so fast. I haven’t seen anything like that this year. Just maneuverabilty.”
The Wolves showed they can make a deep run in Class 5A this season. Vanderwiel’s performance was reminiscent of two Prairie Ridge players who won the Sun-Times Player of the Year award, Samson Evans (2017) and Tyler Vasey (2022).
“[Vanderwiel] is a game changer,” Wolves coach Michael Frericks said. “What we do with the option he always has the ball in his hand and always gets to make the decision. I like those odds with him having the football.”
Prairie Ridge will be favored in its final four regular season games and joins Nazareth, Peoria, Joliet Catholic, Morgan Park and Sycamore as a legitimate Class 5A state title contender.
Quarterback watch
Add another name to the list of the area’s talented quarterbacks. Quinn Schambow has Libertyville in the Super 25 and off to an undefeated start.
Schambow was 23-for-24 for 322 yards and five TDs in a 42-0 win at Mundelein in Week 5. He has 1,632 yards passing with 26 TDs and just one interception this season.
Schambow is a talented baseball player committed to Oklahoma State, but he’s opening some eyes in his second sport.
Week 5 shockers
There were two shocking, last-minute wins in Week 5.
Providence beat St. Francis 27-25 on the final play of the game, which came after officials called a delay of game penalty as St. Francis was kneeling to seal the win.
Providence quarterback AJ Rayford found Jayden Mikulski for a 30-yard TD to win it for the Celtics.
St. Charles North beat Wheaton-Warrenville South 37-32 after scoring two TDs in the final 37 seconds.
Quarterback Ethan Plumb ran one yard for the first TD. He connected with Braden Harms for an 18-yard TD to win the game with 18.8 seconds left.
Season on hold
De La Salle has suspended its football season. The Meteors, down to fewer than 20 players, forfeited their game against Fenwick in Week 5.
So far this season they have lost to Argo, Benet and Marmion and were shut out in all those games. De La Salle beat Foreman 64-0 in Week 2. They still have Leo, Nazareth, Joliet Catholic and Marian Catholic remaining on the schedule.