This is also the first Final Four Appearance for Head Coach Zac Sadek.
Peoria averaged a total of 48 points per game and was held to 28 points as their lowest total this season. The Lion offense had been fueled by a good passer in Breon Green, a strong run game, and fantastic receivers. Their line was big, feisty, and rarely got beat. Oak Forest Head Coach Zac Sadek told me:
“I told Coach Scott Johnson that we may not be able to keep Peoria’s offense off the field. They were that good this season.”
Honestly coming into this game and even during the first half, I’d have to agree. The Peoria offense was stellar. Numerous 4th down conversions, running and passing plays, and a few very explosive plays.
On the first drive of the game, Jason Jahnke had 2 tackles, and Andrew Dawson had a massive 4th down stop. Ulysses Morales kicked a field goal to put the Bengals up 3-0. After that, the Peoria offense was converting on 4th down and looked poised to score, but a fumble halted the offense. The next possession that Peoria had though, Dereon Mays had a big catch on 3rd down which led to a longer drive. Jason Keating came up big in coverage later this drive to force a 4th down effort, where Niko Aldorondo came up with a huge stop with 8 minutes left to go in the half.
Peoria’s defense forced a fumble that was recovered by Julian Lowe. Breon Green threw a pass to Dereon Mays on the first play after the fumble and took the lead 7-3. Oak Forest’s offense couldn’t get going and before halftime, Peoria put together a big drive including big catches by Deandre Johnston and Kyiron Woodard, which allowed Breon Green to run in for the score, as the time ran out in the first half. Peoria took a 14-10 lead going into the half.
Oak Forest’s offense the first two weeks of the playoffs wasn’t very lively in the second half of games. When we entered halftime, I was nervous for the Bengals that the game would slip away, however… The high-powered Peoria offense was tamed by the Bengals, and the Bengal offense came alive. Ulysses Morales hit a field goal again to start the 3rd quarter.
Despite a great 3rd down catch by Detaurion Pollard, Oak Forest had a fantastic stop on a 4th down pass where Bryce Hoffman was in coverage. This… this missed 4th down conversion, was the change of the game. The Oak Forest offense after this was unstoppable. Andrew Dawson went streaking down the middle of the field for a touchdown catch. I was able to ask him about that play and he told me:
“Press man, I knew he would blitz, we watched it on film. I told Coach that when I saw it, I’d check it, so we did.”
That play was all about trust. Players trusting each other, players trusting coaches, and coaches trusting players. The trust that this team has for each other is evident in every play.
Andrew Dawson didn’t just make a splash on offense; he recovered the onside kick by Ulysses Morales after the touchdown. Coach Sadek told me:
“Uli hadn’t kicked an onside kick, so this whole past week we worked on it. He was kicking more onside kicks than field goals I think.”
The Bengals had practiced that moment, and they made it happen during the game. This led to Danny Chopp’s second rushing touchdown of the game. Moving the Bengals into a 27-14 lead.
After that the Lion offense had a great drive capped off by a Breon Green laser to Kriyon Woodard for a score. Woodard told me:
“I had 1on1 coverage and the safety’s eyes were in the backfield. I saw that and took advantage. I was able to get on top of the safety and won the 1on1.”
The Lions missed a 2 point try but brought it to a one score game. It looked like the Peoria offense may get another chance at it as the Bengals stalled out on their drive and were dropped on a 3rd down, until an unsportsmanlike penalty gave the Bengals a first down, Will McMaster made a highlight reel run after bulldozing two Lions defenders. He ended the drive with a rushing touchdown.
The Lions took the field on offense down 34-20 and stalled. Chris Jensen made an amazing play on a 3rd and 3 attempt resulting in a tackle-for-a-loss and pushing the Lions to a 4th and 8. Jensen told me, “Our defense makes big plays. We trust in each other and any day it could be any one on our defense. Today it was me.”
Vinny King made a great play moving back on a pass from Green, jumping up to bat the pass out of the hands of an awaiting Lion receiver. I asked King about that play and he told me:
“I knew it was coming. I made my read, knew I had to go back into coverage instead of blitzing, and I made it happen. The coaching staff helped me know those situations so I could make that play.”
This gave the Bengals the ball back and ultimately, the Bengals won 34-20.
The Lions headed home after a very, very successful season in which they went 9-3. A lot of players are returning next year, and the coaching staff does a great job with this offense. They have a lot to look forward to. I have no doubt that this high powered and disciplined team will be back next year for a deep run in the IHSA Playoffs. Woodard also told me:
“Our coaches did a really great job on preparation going into each and every week getting up really early on weekends coming together as a staff preparing week after week. They put everyone in a position to succeed no matter who or what, they make sure to put us in a position to succeed.”
For the Bengals, they face off against the Providence Celtics at 1pm on Saturday, November 22nd in the semifinals of the IHSA 5A state playoffs. From the Peoria and Oak Forest game, you can find my photo and videos below. I hope you’ll come back for my article about that game, but also come to Instagram for in-game updates! Please like and subscribe to us on Substack as it helps tremendously!
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