The Kaneland Knights smoked Byron 56-21 last Saturday advancing to the class 3A Quarterfinals for the first time ever.
But there was a lot of first Saturday. It was the first time the Knights had 11 wins, the first time this season the Knights passed the mid-century mark in scoring, the first time Kaneland won a playoff game on the road. Also, Ryan West became the first Knight to score over 35 career touchdowns, P.J. Fleck became the first Knight to Catch over 50 passes, and Eric Delaney became the first Knight to pass over 1200 yards.
It was the first time the Kaneland defense allowed two consecutive non-shutout games and the first time the defense gave up more than one touchdown in the first half. To top it off, it was the first 8-touchdown game of year for the Knights as they scored two touchdowns (14 points) in every quarter.
Kaneland came out and drew first blood, when Eric Delaney capped a 63-yard opening drive on a QB keeper for a touchdown. It looked like, slap on the seat belt and hold on, but when the Tigers got the ball they marched 80-yards down field and shazam the Knights lead was gone.
However, it took just 14 seconds to get it back, as Kyle Schrader who has more moves than an retired Allied Van Lines truck driver snaked his way 54 yards to pay dirt. The good field position was a result of a Luke Peterson 25-yard kickoff return just prior to the play and the Knights were back up 14-7.
In the second quarter Ryan West -- Whoa, hold everything. This is an offense that has scored 38 points or more in it's last five games, is averaging 39 points a game, and is just one touchdown away of the highest scoring team in the state, and all we hear about is the so called skill position players.
What about the guys in the trenches? The guys bangin' heads. The guys with the dirty uniforms. The guys who really make it all happen. The offensive line. Stand up and be counted offensive line, you've earned the right.
Starting at left tackle from Elburn is sophomore standout Brain Staker. Next to him is a solid performer game after game from Maple Park junior Keith Snyder. The man is middle, from Elburn, only 5-10, 185 is senior center (and quarterback Delaney's best pal) Adam Wallace. Anchoring the right side of the line are a pair of seniors. Kaneland's man behind the plate in baseball, from Sugar Grove, B.J. Mires and next to him is two-way player and Elburn resident Brian Herra.
O.K. now again - In the second quarter Poop (Herra), Wally (Wallace), and B.J. (Mires) quick block and set up downfield as the Knights laid claim to the end zone again on a nifty 37 yard screen pass to West.
But the Knights 21-7 lead lasted only a few minutes as the Tigers using miss direction, deception, and options plays, scored on another long (62-yard) drive. A bad snap on the extra point and scoreboard read 21-13.
Again it took the Knights just 58 seconds to revenge the score when the entire Kaneland line gave the Delaney time to find Billy Mckeown for an impressive 67-yard touchdown pass and Kaneland was up 28-13 at half.
But the Kaneland's ledgendary defense had given up two first half touchdowns. "We were not please with our defensive play in the first half," said Coach Joe Thorgesen. "We let them know what we thought at half time, and they came out and stepped it up."
In the second half Kaneland started to pour it on, scoring in each of it's first four possessions. It all started when Herra recovered a Byron fumble at the Tigers 44-yard line. Four plays later a ground leveling block by Poop opened up a 10 yard TD run for West and Kaneland had it's 5th touchdown of the day.
Then in a show of power football, the Knights line totally dominated the Tiger defense averaging 8.5 yards a play during the 7-play drive, scoring again on a 16-yard rainbow pass to McKeown.
On their next possession the line continued to blow away their opposition as the Knights performed a encore, marching 54-yards downfield. Thanks to a couple of pulling blocks by Beef (Snyder) and Stake (Staker), West and Knights had scored yet again this time from 8 yards out.
On their next possession Curt Long special teams extraordinaire and super sub supreme ran twice. Once for 44-yards and once for 4-yards. The latter for Kaneland's final TD.
The Tigers showing a lot of heart and living up their name, scored a token touchdown during running clock time for the final score.
"Our game plan was to run right at them," said Thorgesen. "Once we got going I don't think they had an answer for us."
Delaney (who may have had his finest game) was 7 of 10 passing for 165 yards, threw for 3 touchdowns and ran for another. Ryan West ended up with three TDs, and Mckeown had two. Schrader had 124 yards and a TD, Long had 65 yards in 3 attempts and a touchdown. Matt Gladd (Mr. Reliable) was 8 for 8 in PAT's. And Stake, Beef, Wally, B.J. and Poop had a total of 502 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Not to be lost in the joy of victory was a truly heartwarming moment at the end of the game when Byron announcer said, "Congratulations Kaneland and good luck next week in the playoffs". Then the Byron fans stood up and gave the Knights a standing ovation.
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