Larkin's playoff hopes dashed in finale

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AURORA -- Larkin's hopes of becoming playoff eligible were dashed during a disastrous second half Friday night at Waubonsie Valley.

The Royals lost 51-13 to the Warriors in Upstate Eight Conference play after trailing just 14-7 at halftime. The game was delayed by inclement weather and did not start until around 9 p.m.

Larkin (4-5, 3-4) got a 3-yard touchdown run from Jalen Williams midway through the second quarter to tie the game at 7.

But the Warriors (6-3, 5-1) poured it on from there and clinched a playoff berth.

Larkin's final TD came on a 2-yard pass from Justin Kalusa to John Hosey with less than a minute to go in the game.

St. Edward 20, Marmion 8 -- Jimmy Mathisen scored on runs of 14 and 54 yards for the Green Wave (4-5, 2-5) and Moises Quiroga added a TD run of 25 yards.

St. Edward used a 90-yard interception return by Adam Gillies to set up one of its scores. The Wave forced six turnovers, including four fumble recoveries.

Mathisen rushed 21 times for 154 yards and Quiroga carried the ball 26 times for 79 yards.

Lake Park 43, Elgin 23 -- What began as a shootout quickly dissolved into a blowout as Lake Park handled host Elgin in the final Upstate Eight Conference game of the season for both non-playoff bound teams at rain-soaked Memorial Field.

After a 50-minute weather delay, both squads came out offensive-minded, totalling 346 yards and five touchdowns in the opening quarter. From there, however, the Lancers scored 21 unanswered points to turn a 22-15 advantage into a 43-15 edge.

Things got crazy quickly in the first quarter after the Lancers (4-5, 4-3) scored a touchdown on their first possession of the game. Once offensive play later, Elgin quarterback Tom Roth (17 of 51 passing, 197 yards, 2 TDs) ran 51 yards around the right side to tie the score at 7. Lake Park then needed just one play of its own to regain the lead for a 14-7 advantage.

On Elgin's next possession, the Maroons (1-8, 1-5) pieced together an 11-play, 66-yard scoring drive that culminated with a 11-yard touchdown dump pass on fourth-down from Roth to Deandre Forrest. Roth -- also the team's place-kicker -- then ran in for the two-point conversion following a botched snap.

Elgin's final score of the game -- and the season -- came on an 10-yard touchdown pass from Roth to Ryan Parks. Elgin senior Jamal Cook returned from a one-game absence for personal reasons to record four catches for 37 yards.

-- Tim Masmar

St. Charles East 42, Thornridge 0 -- Wes Allen rushed for 117 yards and three scores on 13 carries as the Saints dispatched visiting Thornridge (1-8) in non-conference play.

East improved its record to 7-2 to close out the regular season. Tim Russell was efficient, completing all seven of his attempt for 92 yards and two touchdowns.

Genoa-Kingston 15, Byron 13 -- The Cogs edged Big Northern Conference West rival Byron to move to 6-3, 3-2.

The Cogs battled back from an early 6-0 deficit, eventually extending their lead to 15-6 on 9-yard touchdown run by Chris Wilkins. G-K then had to hold off a late charge by the Tigers (2-3, 3-6).

Harvard 42, Burlington Central 16 -- Harvard ran for 426 yards on its way to a Big Northern Conference East victory in Burlington.

Central (2-7, 2-3) fumbled and recovered the ball twice on its first three plays, forcing the Rockets to punt in rainy conditions.

It took Harvard all of one play to grab a lead it would never give up when Vince Gabrys ran through the Rockets defense for 76 yards, and with 10:17 to go in the first period it was 7-0 Hornets.

Harvard (5-4, 3-2) added to its lead as Phillips Towne notched three of his four touchdowns in the second quarter, giving the Hornets a 28-0 lead at the half.

Central finally had something to cheer about when Tim Maroder fumbled the snap but had enough presence of mind to pick up the loose ball and pitch it back to Nick Smith, who flew around the right end for 36 yards for a touchdown. Smith added his second score with 5:37 to go in the game.

-- Howard Reicheneker

Johnsburg 17, Huntley 7 -- The host Skyhawks denied the Red Raiders a perfect regular season, springing an upset in Fox Valley Conference Fox Division action.

Huntley (8-1, 4-1) was seeking an outright FVC Fox title. Prairie Ridge can gain a share of the crown today when the Wolves face Grayslake Central. That contest was postponed Friday night.

St. Charles North 20, Neuqua Valley 0 -- The North Stars (6-3, 4-2 UEC) clinched a playoff berth with this road win.