O’Brien: Week 6’s four downs

Highlights and observations from Week 6.

FIRST DOWN: Providence and Hope Academy were forced to hit the ground and take cover from gunshots early in the Celtics’ 56-14 win against Hope Academy on Friday at Altgeld Park.

“The game had just started and there were some shots a block or two away,” Providence coach Mark Coglianese said. “We were never threatened, but it was the safe thing to to. We waited for the police to give us the all clear.”

Hope Academy plays all of its home games at Altgeld Park, located on the west side.

“It’s something we’ve never been through,” Coglianese said. “The kids were a little shaken, but we were reaffirmed that everything was ok.”

“The kids were scared,” Hope Academy coach Matt Kelly said. “But it isn’t something that is a total surprise to them. Unfortunately where we are at, it is the west side, there is violence and crime and shootings. But it is the first time I’ve ever experienced something like that.”

Kelly said it is the first time any type of incident has happened since the team has played at Altgeld Park.

SECOND DOWN: The Illinois High School Association says Thornton has been forced to forfeit its Week 1 win against Andrew.

Thornton won the game 12-7 in Tinley Park.

A transfer student was found to be academically ineligible, based on the spring semester at his previous school. That high school reached out to the IHSA claiming it had not received the proper transfer paperwork from Thornton.

The eligibility of two other Thornton football players is currently under investigation. None of the players participated in any other games this season, so it is unlikely the Wildcats will have to forfeit any other games.

“Rule violations and forfeitures are not a part of the job that we look forward to, but they are going to occur given the size and scope of our membership,” IHSA Executive Director Kurt Anderson said in a statement. “We are working with Thornton to move forward, while putting a system in place that won’t let this occur again in the future. We appreciate the Thornton administration being forthcoming during this process.”

Thornton beat Thornwood 12-8 on Saturday and is now 4-2. Andrew is 5-1.

THIRD DOWN: No. 16 Naperville Central held its own with nationally ranked St. Edward (OH) on Saturday. The host Redhawks actually led in the fourth quarter before losing 34-24.

Naperville Central quarterback Payton Thorne finished 14-for-25 passing for 271 yards including three touchdown passes to Jayden Reed, who had six catches for 198 yards.

The Redhawks have a road game against rival Naperville North in Week 7.

FOURTH DOWN: Glenbard West’s eye-opening 35-3 win against Lyons on Friday vaulted the Hilltoppers from No. 13 to No. 7 in the latest Super 25 rankings.

Glenbard West has been overlooked a bit since getting trounced by Maine South in Week 1, but the Hilltoppers seem to have righted the ship. They’ll have another big test on Saturday against Hinsdale Central (5-1).