In a absolute-must-win-game at Notre Dame on Friday night, Joliet Catholic Academy trailed 17-13 at the end of the first half. Looking at possibly their last 24 minutes of football in 2018 coach Jake Jaworski’s Hilltoppers, responded with a rousing — no, to the question of their season, being put to an end.
Led by senior RB Keenan Hailey and the Hilltopper defense, JCA (5-4) rallied past Notre Dame for a 33-17, East Suburban Catholic Conference victory. With the win, the Hilltoppers qualified for their 40th trip to the IHSA State Playoffs, this time in Class 5A.
“Scoring the touchdown,that brought us within 17-13 was huge right before halftime,” Jaworski said. “We were confident we could come back and win. Keenan (Hailey) was outstanding for us again. Keenan will tell you that it takes all the other 10 Hilltoppers on the field for him to be successful.
“Our defense was outstanding in the second half. Kurt’s (Weis) interception was huge and our middle linebacker Max Briscoe was outstanding for us.”
Hailey ran through, around and over Don defenders and would rush for 251 yards and a pair of touchdowns. 140 of those rushing yards came during the stunning Hilltopper second-half rally. Hailey has ran for 1,692 yards and has scored 20 touchdowns to lead the area.
Hailey ranks second in the state of Illinois with his 1,692 yards to Decatur St. Teresa (9-0) running back Jacardia Wright who has 1,693 yards rushing — according to MaxPreps.com. Wright has scored a state-leading 36 touchdowns on the season.
“We had scored just before halftime, which really gave us the confidence, to come-back and get the victory,” Hailey said. “When the scoreboard clock hit 0:00, we were so excited about winning the game and making it back into the playoffs, we almost forget to shake hands with Notre Dame. We quickly shook hands and then celebrated on the field. It was an awesome bus ride home from Niles.
“It’s been a lot of fun for me this season. I really enjoy being a part of this team and I owe a large part of my success, to my teammates. We are confident we can make a strong run, in the playoffs.”
Hilltopper fullback Nick Iannantone put the nail in the old, proverbial coffin of the Dons. With his 25-yard dash for six points in the fourth quarter, Iannantone’s TD finished the scoring in the 33-17 Hillltopper victory. It was the seventh touchdown of the season forIannantone, who has rushed for 707 yards in 2018.
“Just an awesome feeling to come back and win the game and make the playoffs,” Iannantone said. “I was so happy to contribute to our victory with the 25-yard touchdown run. I’m in the game to get short-yardage for us and it felt great to be out in the open for a touchdown. After not playing too much my first two years, I told you back in August that I really was happy to be starting this season and contribute. I feel I have accomplished that. It’s been a roller-coaster season for us and it is rewarding to be going to the playoffs.”
Hilltopper defensive back Nick Weis’ huge interception of Dons’ sophomore quarterback Anthony Sayles set up Iannantone’s’ touchdown.
“It was very exciting for me, to come up with the huge interception,” Weis said. “I jumped the route and it felt great to pick off the pass. It was especially rewarding for me to see Nick Iannantone’s 25-yard touchdown afterward, to seal our victory.”
Back in August, Hailey said he and the Hilltopper running backs, would not be successful, without the efforts of “The Big Dogs”; the Hilltopper O-Line. Led by 6-0, 268 pound senior Ryan Laule, the line is made up of 6-2, 285 pound, senior Ty O’Janovich; 6-1 280 pound Conor Kovas, 6-2 285 pound Colin Cox and 6-6 252 pound Dave Monnet.
“Keenan Hailey is a special person,” Laule said. “He was running like his life depended on it. We didn’t have to do too much for him Friday night. It’s great to be heading back to the playoffs after two years. This is the third year our offensive line has been together. We have had some hard times and it feels great to have all our hard work, rewarded, with this trip to the playoffs. We are very confident, that we can make a deep run,”
On Saturday, the Hilltoppers’ “Road to Champaign” begins with a stop in Metamora, Illinois in a Class 5A first-round battle with the 8-1 Redbirds of Metamora. In 1999 and again in 2000, the Hilltoppers defeated the Redbirds, for two of the Hilltoppers’, state-record, 13 IHSA State Football Championships.
“It will be great to go to Metamora and play the Redbirds on Saturday night,” Jaworski added. “Pat (Ryan) has led one of Illinois’ most highly-successful, football programs. Three state titles and seven runner-up titles. We have a lot of history with Metamora. If we play to our abilities on Saturday night I am confident we can pick up a victory. One game at a time. We are totally focused on a great Metamora football team.”