FOOTBALL: Oswego Downs Plainfield North, Takes Conference Lead

Breaking It Down: The Oswego Panthers were not only celebrating their homecoming but the 20-year anniversary of their 1992 state football championship on Friday. 

The alumni must have been proud with the Panthers’ effort on both sides of the ball.

The Panthers went to work right away, scoring on a 6-yard rush by Bryce Holm after running back Mickeel Stewart got them into the red zone. The Tigers responded on the ensuing drive with a 44-yard strike to receiver Kendall Interial to tie the game at 7. 

Stewart broke the tie early in the second with a 33-yard run to give the Panthers a 13-7 lead. After a defensive stop the Panthers scored again on a one-yard rush by Holm for his second touchdown of the evening. QB Brett Wainwright made a spectacular dive on a two-point conversion to give the Panthers a 21-7 lead. The Tigers threatened late in the first half after a terrible punt, but the Panthers defense held quarterback Kurt Palandech at bay. 

The Tigers had no answers on offense. The Panthers nullified star back Jay Roberts the entire game and forced Palandech to throw the ball. Defensive back Jamaal Richardson picked him off early in the third to set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Wainwright. Wainwright scored again on a 23-yard slant run early in the fourth to give the Panthers a 35-7 lead and put the game away for good. 

Patch’s MVP: Mickeel Stewart, Oswego. He was dominant in the first half, shredding a potent Tigers defense for 133 yards on 15 carries with a TD. His ability to keep plays alive helped the Panthers to their 21-7 halftime lead. He finished with 24 carries for 165 yards. 

Oswego Stat Pack: QB Brett Wainwright did most of his damage on the ground, with 10 rushes for 78 yards and two TD’s. Fullback Bryce Holm had seven carries for 21 yards and two touchdowns. 

Plainfield North Stat Pack: QB Kurt Palandech was 8-of-21 passing for 111 yards. He had one touchdown and one interception. Running back Jay Roberts had a tough night with 15 carries for only 23 yards. 

Quotable I: Oswego coach Brian Cooney: “All three phases tonight… everything seemed to click for us. After that slow start, we really buckled down on defense and forced them (Plainfield North) out of their comfort zone.”

Quotable II: Oswego QB Brett Wainwright: “We’ve started slow the last couple games, and we knew if we could get to a fast start that it would really pick us up.” 

Team Records: Oswego is 6-1 and 5-0 in the Southwest Prairie Conference. Plainfield North is 5-2 and 4-1 in the Southwest Prairie. 

What’s Next: The Panthers travel to Plainfield South on October 12. The Tigers host Minooka on October 12. 

Scores of Interest: Minooka defeated Oswego East 31-7. Plainfield East defeated Romeoville 27-14. For more scores, go to ihsa scorezeone.