Kennedy went into its Week 8 game against Hansberry minus some of its usual leaders on defense.
But despite missing four starters on that side of the ball for various reasons, the Crusaders wrapped up a perfect conference season with a 47-12 win over Hansberry at Stagg Stadium.
“A lot of guys had to step up and play some positions they weren’t used to,” Kennedy coach Robert Albano said.
The offense more than picked up the slack as Kennedy improved to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the Public League White Southwest. Kennedy, which has clinched its first IHSA playoff berth since 2021 and the second in program history, plays White South Central champ South Shore this weekend at Gately. The winner will earn promotion to one of the top-tier White sections.
Against Hansberry, senior Jonathan Castro had touchdown runs of 48, 28 and 22 yards, while junior Kamarion McCarter scored on runs of 43 and 80 yards, Senior Joseph Dahl added a 55-yard touchdown catch and sophomore Victor Sandoval scored on a 2-yard run.
With regular kicker David Solarczyk unavailable, freshman Sergio Medina converted five of seven extra points and also started at outside linebacker.
The Crusaders had some other big plays on defense and special teams. Dahl intercepted a pass in the end zone, Valentino Hernandez returned an interception 60 yards and Victor Leal recovered an onside kick.
Solorio eyes league title
Solorio beat Gage Park 16-6 in Week 8 to remain tied with Washington for the Public League Blue Central lead with one week left in the regular season.
The Sun Warriors (5-3, 3-1) hold the head-to-head tiebreaker by virtue of a 14-6 win against Washington in Week 5.
Senior Damian Corral scored both touchdowns against Gage Park on runs.
“We started really well,” Sun Warriors coach Jonathan Jauregui said. “To be completely honest with you, the (issue) we’ve been facing is finishing.”
Still, he added, “the kids had a good game. We’ve just got to keep building on it.”
Public League Blue teams are ineligible for the IHSA playoffs, so Jauregui is already thinking about winter conditioning and beyond.
“The season is not even over and I’m turning the wheels on how to attack the offseason,” he said.
The goal is to keep the momentum going as the Sun Warriors continue to rebound from going winless in 2023