Week 1 Football: Weather Disruptions Strike Again
Source: The Shaw Local News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
The unpredictable Illinois weather struck again as Week 1 of the high school football season faced significant disruptions for the second year in a row. All seven teams in the NewsTribune/BCR area saw their schedules altered, with games either postponed, delayed, or cut short. La Salle-Peru and Princeton both kicked off on Friday night but had to resume on Saturday. St. Bede's opener was moved entirely to Saturday. Hall-Putnam County, Mendota, and Bureau Valley managed to play on Friday but with extended pauses due to lightning and storms. The Amboy co-op game was called at halftime because of inclement weather, giving the Clippers a 38-0 win over Alden-Hebron.
La Salle-Peru faced a similar situation last season when their opener against United Township was postponed a day, resulting in a two-day trip and a 23-21 loss. This year, the Cavaliers handled the disruption better, defeating Lanphier 59-14. Coach JJ Raffelson emphasized the need for flexibility. "If there's adjustments we need to make, we make them, and you understand that this gets thrown at you," he said. "It's happened two years in a row, but we came back ready to go better this year than last year. You just have to keep fighting and keep playing together." He added that his message to the team was to live up to their standards, execute, and play as a unit.
Running back Sam Carter made a strong varsity debut, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. He scored on L-P's opening drive and became the team's first 100-yard rusher since Brady Romagnoli in October 2023. "Sam proved last year at the lower level he can control the ball, hold onto it, and make good reads," Raffelson noted. "He put on some weight this offseason and has been working hard. He's a leader, a great kid. I'm excited to have him for three years."
Mendota also used a weather delay to their advantage. The Trojans defeated Orion 23-14, with coach Jim Eustice praising his staff and players. "Our staff made some great adjustments during the delay, and our kids handled it fantastically," he said. Sophomore quarterback Quinn Eddy, in his first varsity start, ran for three touchdowns and intercepted a pass on defense, finishing with 80 yards on 17 carries. "Quinn was tremendous on both sides of the ball," Eustice added.
Hall-Putnam County showcased a new-look passing game in a 46-44 overtime loss to Mercer County. Sophomore quarterback Gage Olson completed 5 of 9 passes for 189 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. Junior tight end Chace Sterling caught four passes for 133 yards and three scores, while Jaxon Pinter added a 56-yard touchdown reception. Coach Nick Sterling noted the offensive line gave Olson good protection. "Gage's vision was good, and he was able to connect with our receivers," Sterling said. Last season, Hall's quarterbacks threw for more than 100 yards only twice and had just one multi-touchdown game. "Passing is always an option as we have more speed in our skill positions than we have had in a long time," Sterling added.
Bureau Valley threw just one pass in their 36-27 win over United, but it proved decisive. After United scored to cut the lead to 30-15 early in the fourth quarter, the Storm faced fourth-and-2 from the United 12-yard line. Quarterback Aiden Litherland connected with Blake Foster for a 12-yard touchdown pass. "It was perfect timing for a pass and a good ball by Aiden," Foster said. The Storm relied heavily on their ground game, with Dane Stewart rushing for 101 yards and two touchdowns, and Foster adding 56 yards and two rushing scores.
Princeton found their rhythm late in the fourth quarter against Riverdale, after abandoning the passing game and focusing on the run. The Tigers ran the ball 19 times in the final period, scoring twice to cut their deficit. After managing just 87 total yards through three quarters, Princeton rushed for 140 yards in the fourth quarter, giving them a narrow 222-217 advantage in rushing yards for the game. Quarterback Jack Oester's seventh pass attempt was intercepted and returned for a touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. But on the next drive, Oester kept the ball on an option and ran 68 yards for the Tigers' first score. "As the game went on, I started to see a lot of bright spots," coach Ryan Pearson said. "Toward the end, that's kind of the team I envisioned we could have; we just have to shore up a few fundamental mistakes. I really don't think we're far off." Fullback Brennan Emmett scored from one yard out on Princeton's final offensive play, giving him 100 yards on 21 carries.
Amboy co-op's game was called at halftime due to weather, but the Clippers' stats resembled a full game. Jose Lopez ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Colt McCoy added 82 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and also caught a 48-yard touchdown pass.
Article commentary
The second consecutive year of weather disruptions in Week 1 of Illinois high school football highlights the unpredictable nature of outdoor sports in the Midwest. While teams and coaches prepare for all kinds of challenges, weather remains a factor beyond anyone's control. The ability to adapt quickly, both in terms of scheduling and in-game strategy, is crucial. For programs like La Salle-Peru, having to split a game over two days for the second year in a row tests mental and physical resilience. Coach Raffelson's emphasis on team togetherness and standard of play reflects a culture that can weather such storms. The strong performance of Sam Carter, a first-year varsity player, suggests the Cavaliers are building depth. Mendota's use of the delay to make defensive and offensive adjustments demonstrates how coaching staffs can turn a negative into a positive. Quarterback Quinn Eddy's two-way performance is a testament to the versatility of young athletes in today's game. For Hall-Putnam County, the emergence of a passing game that produced four touchdowns in one game is a significant shift from last season, when they rarely threw for over 100 yards. This evolution could make them a more dangerous opponent. Bureau Valley's reliance on the run, with a single well-timed pass, shows the effectiveness of a balanced attack when executed correctly. The Storm's ability to control the clock and grind out yards is a classic formula for success. Princeton's late-game surge, after a sluggish start, indicates that the Tigers have the potential to be a strong team once they eliminate fundamental errors. Coach Pearson's confidence in his squad is well-founded, as the rushing attack showed signs of dominance. The premature end of the Amboy co-op game raises questions about consistency and fairness when games are cut short. However, the Clippers' dominant performance in one half was impressive. Overall, Week 1 of the 2024 season has been a test of adaptability. As the season progresses, teams that can handle adversity, whether from weather or opponents, will have an edge. The trends seen—such as increased passing from Hall and the emergence of young playmakers—suggest a dynamic and evolving landscape in Illinois high school football.