For the first time since 2021 when it won the IHSA Class 5A title – and for the 23rd time overall, the Fenwick High School football team is in the state quarterfinals. The Friars, who are seeded 11th in the Class 6A North Bracket, host #2 Burlington Central at Triton College, Nov. 15, at 1 p.m.
Here’s a preview of the game:
FENWICK (8-3)
Head Coach: Matt Battaglia, 6th season
How Fenwick got here: defeated Kennedy 42-6 in the first round; defeated Rolling Meadows 45-7 in the second round.
Outlook: Fenwick entered the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. But the Friars have snapped out of the doldrums in impressive fashion, outscoring their playoff opponents by a combined margin of 87-13, and the points allowed came with each game already in running clock mode.
Fenwick is led offensively by quarterback Jamen Williams and running back Jake Thies, who each had big games against Rolling Meadows. Williams threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns and added another rushing, while Thies rushed for 151 yards and three touchdowns and caught a 50-yard pass for another score. The Friars have scored at least 40 points in seven games this season, including the playoffs.
Fenwick has also been stout for the most part on defense, allowing six points or less in six games this year. Michael Murphy had a forced fumble and recovery along with an interception last weekend, with Aiden Williams adding six tackles and Tommy Thies a sack.
On special teams, kicker/punter Noah Sur had a 32-yard field goal and is considered one of the top players at his position in the state.
BURLINGTON CENTRAL (10-1)
Head Coach: Brian Iossi, 4th season
How Central got here: defeated Libertyville 21-17 in the first round; defeated Harlem 24-14 in the second round.
Outlook: Although its administrative offices are located in Burlington, Central draws students from several far northwest suburbs, including Elgin, St. Charles, and South Elgin. The Rockets, making their fourth appearance in the quarterfinals and their first since 2006, enter on a seven-game winning streak, which is their longest in 19 years. Central features a balanced attack offensively, led by senior quarterback Landon Arnold. Arnold has thrown for 904 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions; he also is the Rockets’ leading rusher with 755 yards and eight touchdowns. However, Central’s calling card has been defense this season. The Rockets, led by linebacker Noah Hedlund (72 tackles, including 61 solo), lineman Aidan Nuno (seven sacks), and linebackers Tyler McGladdery (8.5 tackles for loss) and Liam Schultz (55.5 tackles, 4.5 TFL), have allowed just 118 points in 11 games.
KEYS TO THE GAME
While Fenwick dispatched Kennedy and Rolling Meadows with ease, the degree of difficulty grows greatly on Saturday. The Friars know that Central is a tough opponent.
“Really impressive team,” Fenwick coach Matt Battaglia told Wednesday Journal. “We don’t get much crossover ever with their conference (Fox Valley) outside the playoffs, and it’s a tough throwback conference that wants to control the run game on both sides. It’s a really well-coached team as well.”
It stands to reason then that the team who is dominant upfront will have a huge advantage.
“It’s quite simple,” Battaglia said. “Playoff football always comes down to whose offensive and defensive lines are going to win the line of scrimmage and take over the game.”
Fenwick usually likes to play up-tempo, but the Friars have also shown they can chew up clock when necessary. It will be important for Fenwick to maximize its possessions as much as possible. Conversely, on defense, the Friars must force Central to pass more than it prefers. That means limiting the Rockets’ ground production on first and second downs and forcing situations where they need to throw.
Field position will be another key to Saturday’s game, and here is where I feel Fenwick has the advantage. Noah Sur is not only an outstanding field goal and extra point kicker, he’s also an excellent punter. His strong leg has the ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory and flip the field into the Friars’ favor.
Finally, home field advantage is huge for Fenwick. Friar Nation – Fenwick’s student body – needs to fill the stadium early and bring the noise from the start. Central is bringing plenty of fans to Triton and they’re sure to be loud and proud, so it’s important that Fenwick fans not only match, but exceed the energy of the Rockets’ fans.
TATE’S TAKE
This should be a really good game. Central is well-deserving of its record, but Fenwick – which is far better than an 8-3 record – will be by far the best team the Rockets have faced up to this point. I also believe that while the Friars have yet to play their best football, they realize what’s at stake – a trip to the semifinals against either 6A North top seed Nazareth Academy or #4 Lake Zurich. Also, no matter what, this is the final home game in the Fenwick careers of Tommy Thies (Miami of Ohio commit), Murphy, Aiden and Jamen Williams, and the other seniors – I’m sure they want to make their final memory of Triton a good one.
Again, it’ll be a close one – these teams are evenly matched in my opinion. Whenever that’s the case, I go with the team at home, so I’m going with Fenwick.
FENWICK 24, CENTRAL 21
