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Christian Flutman rarely comes off the field for Chicago Christian and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The senior starts at quarterback and defensive back and also is the holder for kicks — duties that kept him plenty busy on Nov. 2 when the Knights rolled by visiting Illini West 53-16 in a Class 2A playoff opener.
Running back Kenny Jager had another big game for Chicago Christian (9-1) with 16 carries for 200 yards and four touchdowns — all before halftime.
Flutman, meanwhile, was 6-for-7 passing for 141 yards and a touchdown. His only two carries went for TDs of 16 and 60 yards, And he also picked off an Illini West pass for his sixth interception of the season.
“As soon as I get done with offense (and) we finished the drive on a touchdown, it’s a great feeling going on defense and getting the takeaways,” Flutman said. “I don’t think there’s anything better than that.”
The Knights put a heavy emphasis on conditioning to make sure Flutman and their other two-way players don’t wilt under the workload.
“Practices and workouts emphasize running and all that,” he said. “(I) make sure I don’t get too tired, because if I get gassed there’s not much I can do then.”
But the show must go on, even after that 60-yard touchdown run.
“At the end of it I was trying to catch my breath,” Flutman said, “because I had to hold for the PAT. And I was breathing heavy, I was taking my time.”
First-year Chicago Christian coach CJ Cesario is glad to have Flutman filling so many roles.
“Christian Flutman is a heck of a skill athlete for us,” Cesario said. “He’s also a really great leader. He has come on so strong and gotten better every single week.
“What’s been beautiful to see is his confidence. When his confidence kicked in and he saw what he could do on the field, he went to the next level. (The) kid’s got a great heart.”
The Knights also have gone to another level, getting their first postseason win since 2018.
“The last two years we got knocked out in the first round and it did not feel good,” Flutman said. “But this year is different. It’s just a great feeling.”
“It’s a really special time for our community,” Cesario said. “I have 13 wonderful seniors that lead the way. It’s a player-led team and they deserve everything that’s been coming to them this season.”
Class 8A
Lyons 38, Joliet West 0
Danny Carroll ran 16 times for 154 yards and four touchdowns to power the Lions (10-0). Dom Pisciotti was 8-of-11 passing for 110 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. Tucker King caught three passes for 64 yards and a score. Lou Radcliffe’s nine tackles and four tackles for loss paced the defense.
Stevenson 31, Sandburg 14
Sandburg (5-5) fell behind 17-0 at halftime and couldn’t recover. Anthony Shelton was 11-of-24 passing for 215 yards for the Eagles with one touchdown to Lucas Matykiewicz and one interception. Luke Basiorka had 14 carries for 74 yards and Quinn Durkin added four catches for 82 yards.
Class 7A
St. Rita 45, Guilford 3
The Mustangs (8-2) fell behind 3-0 before running off the game’s final 45 points, including 28 in the second quarter. Nick Herman ran 15 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns, and also caught two passes for 46 yards and two TDs. Steven Armbruster completed 14 of 18 passes for 223 yards and three scores, white Walter Jones had seven catches for 132 yards and a TD. James Kingsbury led the St. Rita defense with 11 tackles and a tackle for loss.
Class 5A
Nazareth 54, Payton 0
Logan Malachuk completed 20 of 25 passes for 258 yards and four touchdowns for the Roadrunners (8-2), who led 34-0 at halftime. Trenton Walker had seven catches for 75 yards and two TDs, while Garrett Reese, Jake Cestone and Nick Racki each had one touchdown reception. Lesroy Tittle, Anthony Donato and Jack Nisivaco each ran for a TD.
Class 4A
St. Laurence 35, Richmond-Burton 17
Harley Rizzs ran 18 times for a career-high 218 yards and three touchdowns for the Vikings (7-3), and he also caught an 84-yard TD pass. Chase Kwiatkowski was 7-of-12 passing for 111 yards and a TD, while Cory Lee had eight carries for 106 yards and a score. Brendan Carroll (eight tackles, two tackles for loss) and Jacob Bylina (nine tackles, fumble recovery) led the defense.