Will Cook County News

By Claude Martinez.

Oak Forest – It was a beautiful day for the 5A IHSA Quarterfinals in Oak Forest, Illinois on November 15. The temperature was tied for the second-hottest on record, reaching 71 degrees, which was last recorded in 1971.

The Peoria Lions (9-3) faced the Oak Forest Bengals (11-1) in a match that would kick off around 68 degrees.

In the first, the Bengals put their first points on the board thanks to junior kicker Ulysses Morales making a 19 yard field goal.

In the second, Oak Forest was rolling at the 14 yardline, but Damarion Zapata punched the rock out of the runner’s arm, which Julian Lowe recovered at the 1 yardline, stopping a touchdown.

On the following play, Breon Green threw a short pass to Dereon Mays, who caught it, and blocking for him was Kyiron Woodard, who opened a hole allowing Mays to run untouched to a 99 yard score.

Oak Forest also knew how to make holes, and when the ball was at the 36, William Moody, George Skirha, Brayden Hawkinson, and friends of the o-line allowed Daniel Chopp to run free, taking the lead back at 10-8.

Peoria used the remaining 1:55 to drive all the way down the field, scoring with 1.5 seconds left, making it 14 Peoria, 10 Oak Forest.

After the half, the Bengals came alive, scoring 3 touchdowns and a field goal while only allowing the Lions a single score in the fourth.

FINAL: Oak Forest 34, Peoria 20.

The WCCN Play of the Game came when Daniel Chopp threw a 48 yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Andrew Dawson in the 3rd quarter.

The WCCN Player of the Game was senior quarterback Daniel Chopp, who had 2 rushing touchdowns and 1 passing. He spoke about the offensive line, senior wide receiver Andrew Dawson, junior running back William McMaster, and junior kicker Ulysses Morales.

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Oak Forest now heads to the State Semifinals and will travel to face Providence Catholic (9-3) on Saturday, November 22.

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