O’Brien: Justin Blake emerges as Montini’s newest star

Justin Blake spent the first three years of his football career at Montini as a receiver. To put it mildly, the spotlight was nowhere near him.

The Broncos are generally loaded with star players and they make a habit of playing for state titles. This year there didn’t seem to be a star on Montini’s team.

Forget that. As Blake tore through tacklers on the crucial 21-yard run that picked up the game-sealing first down, it became clear that the Broncos had a special talent on their hands.

“On the third down play when I made the run, you have to be a man out here,” Blake said. “This isn’t a little boys game. You have to take it to the grind every day and get tough yards when you can get them.”

No. 13 Montini brought down No. 4 Maine South 20-17 in Lombard on Friday. Blake led the way with 209 yards passing and 115 yards rushing.

His quarterback experience prior to Friday consisted of “maybe two snaps in junk time last year” according to Blake.

“I can’t even explain how confident I was,” Blake said. “Everyone believed in me. I just did what they told me and executed.”

Blake was 14-for-20 throwing the ball. He wasn’t bombing the ball downfield but he didn’t make many mistakes. He had no interceptions and found junior wide receiver Mitchell West for a 51-yard touchdown pass late in the first half.

“It’s so much fun playing in this offense,” Blake said. “We have burners. I just had to throw it up there and put some air under it so Mitchell could use his speed.”

On the other side of the field was Brian Collis, perhaps the most experienced quarterback in the state. Collis is a third-year starter for the Hawks, but he had a rough first half with three interceptions and a fumble. He was solid in the second half and finished 17-for-23 for 158 yards. Collis connected with Jon Arenas on a 41-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 17.

“There is no question we have to worry about those mistakes,” Maine South coach Dave Inserra said. “We played better in the second half for sure but their speed was just tough to handle and really tough to prepare for.”

Montini coach Chris Andriano talked all preseason about his team’s speed. He said this is the fastest team he’s coached. The Broncos looked like exactly that in their debut.

Montini junior running back Prince Walker is another one of those burners. He ran for 94 yards on 15 carries and ripped off an impressive 61-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to put the Broncos ahead 7-6.

But expect the spotlight this season to be on Blake. He was still getting used to it on Friday, obviously a bit shell-shocked by the amount of cameras pointed in his face after his sparkling debut.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life,” Blake said. “This is really, really different from the rest of my football career.”