O’Brien: Week 2’s four downs

Observations highlights and talking points from Week 2.

FIRST DOWN: Lincoln-Way East didn’t just beat previously top-ranked Maine South on Friday in Park Ridge, it did what has seemed nearly impossible for the past three seasons. The Griffins shut down running back Fotis Kokosioulis.

The NIU recruit managed just four rushing yards against Lincoln-Way East. The Hawks had -17 rushing yards in the game.

Maine South quarterback John O’Sullivan had another big performance (370 passing yards, four touchdowns) but the star of the game was Lincoln-Way East wide receiver A.J. Henning. The 5-10 sophomore caught four passes for 120 yards, including 93-yard and 23-yard touchdowns. Henning could be a special player. He already has an offer from Illinois.

The Hawks’ tough non-conference schedule continues the next two weeks, with a home game against Fremd a road game at Palatine.

SECOND DOWN: Drake Davis played for Class 1A Bureau Valley last season. The senior quarterback transferred to Naperville North this summer. He performed well in 7-on-7 camps and there was plenty of buzz surrounding him in the preseason.

So far he’s outperforming anyone’s expectations. His debut performance was one Naperville will remember for a long time. The Huskies trailed host Edwardsville 42-0 late in the first half. Davis spearheaded a 53-49 comeback. He finished 25-for-43 for 391 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for two touchdowns.

Davis led Naperville North to another 50 points on Friday. He threw six touchdown passes in a 56-37 win against Metea Valley. The area is stacked with quality quarterbacks: Samson Evans at Prairie Ridge, Lyons’ Ben Bryant, Solorio’s Quincy Patterson and Barrington’s Ray Niro. Add Davis to the list. He has an offer from Eastern Illinois, but expect that list to grow quickly.

THIRD DOWN: It’s only Week 3, but this is a massive moment for Simeon. The 0-2 Wolverines face Phillips on Saturday night at Gately. There isn’t any shame in Simeon’s losses to Oak Park and Detroit Cass, MI. But the games have followed a similar pattern to a lot of last season’s losses against good teams. Simeon gets down early and then mounts a comeback but isn’t able to get over the hump.

Wolverines quarterback Alante Brown was very good in Michigan on Friday. He finished 21-for-35 passing for 153 yards. Senior Leon Payne caught 15 passes for 119 yards.

Phillips traveled to Oak Lawn on Friday and beat a ranked Richards team 34-21. The Wildcats will be heavy favorites on Saturday in what is the most anticipated game of the Public League season.

FOURTH DOWN: Slowly but surely, Loyola running back Hamid Bullie will become a major factor this season. Bullie, just back after ten months of injury rehabilitation, had one carry in the loss to Phillips Week 1. The Ramblers certainly missed him at the end of that game. It’s quite possible he changes the result of Phillips’ game-winning goal-line stand.

Bullie saw more action on Friday, with 14 carries for 43 yards in Loyola’s win against Bishop Amat, CA.

The Ramblers host Mount Carmel on Saturday in one of the marquee Week 3 matchups.