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With the state playoffs quickly approaching, Richards coach Tony Sheehan likes that his defense is playing some of its best football of the season.
A case in point was a 49-6 Week 8 victory over visiting Evergreen Park in a South Suburban Red matchup.
Austin Synoga and Chase Dryier each picked off passes for the Bulldogs (7-1, 5-0), who have allowed just 38 points total (6.3 per game) in their last six games, including two shutouts. The Mustangs (3-5, 2-3) were limited to five first downs.
“Our defense has been playing very well,” Sheehan said. “We’re getting better every day. The kids love to play together, and they push each other every day. It’s fun to watch.”
So is the Bulldogs’ offense.
North Dakota State recruit Myles Mitchell finished with 18 carries for 175 yards and four touchdowns. Quarterback Noah Escobedo was 13-of-19 passing for 166 yards and connected with Trent Curry on a 12-yard touchdown pass, giving the hosts a 28-6 lead at halftime.
Colin Cervencik added a 23-yard touchdown run, and Ladarrius Foster had nine carries for 78 yards and a 4-yard touchdown.
“Myles is playing at a high level, and the O-line is doing a great job and starting to jell for us,” Sheehan said. “Myles did a good job of taking what they gave him. He was really hitting it inside on them and following his blocks.”
Richards hosts Reavis on Friday in the last game of the regular season. After that, the Bulldogs are hoping for a deep run in the state playoffs.
“For the most part, our kids are doing a good job of staying focused,” Sheehan said. “They know what’s at stake. They remember what it takes and what happened last year in the second round (a 52-51 loss to Chatham Glenwood), so they’re playing at a high level.”
Evergreen Park scored on a 5-yard pass in the first quarter from Rowan Smyth to sophomore tight end Garret Kazmierowicz. Ellis Jackson (50 yards receiving) and Kazmierowicz (two catches, 12 yards) were the leading receivers for the Mustangs.
Defensively, senior lineman Genesis Ward paced Evergreen Park with nine tackles, three sacks, one pass breakup and one tackle for loss.
“We couldn’t get our running game going,” Mustangs coach Jim Ramazinski said. “I think it was a little closer than a 49-6 score, but we weren’t knocking on the door except in the first quarter.”
