Lyles helps JCA get back on winning track

JOLIET - Joliet Catholic Academy senior tailback Jordan Lyles took the first handoff of the game and raced through the Benet Academy (3-4, 2-3) defense easily for a 19-yard gain and a first down. That run told all in attendance at Memorial Stadium just what was in store for them Friday night in the East Suburban Catholic Conference matchup.

Lyles would go on to finish with 190 rushing yards on just 10 carries as JCA (5-2, 4-1) virtually clinched another playoff berth with a 43-6 victory. The Hilltoppers put up 518 yards of total offense and washed away any hangover blues from last week's loss at Marist.

"The kids couldn't wait to get back on the field after last week's game," said JCA coach Dan Sharp. "We didn't even watch film from that game. We made a lot of costly mistakes and most of them were by younger players. We didn't need to watch film to correct our mistakes. We just had to help the young kids bounce back.

"And they did that tonight," continued Sharp. "They did not pout all week or hang their heads. I give a lot of the credit to our older players who encouraged the younger guys to stick with it and get back to playing the way we can at Joliet Catholic."

And that way on Friday night was very familiar to Hilltopper fans as JCA rushed for 299 yards in the opening half and 481 for the game. Lyles was not the lone back to top the 100-yard mark as junior Josh Ferguson carried 14 times for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Ten different Hillmen carried the ball and nine finished with positive yardage. Sophomore Malin Jones finished just 5 yards shy of 100 with 95 on 6 carries. Freshman Ty Isaac picked up 55 yards on just 6 attempts.

But Lyles was the big man on Friday. He set the tone early and gave JCA all the momentum it needed.

"Jordan did a great job or running and reading his blocks tonight," Sharp said. "He has such quick feet and has the knack of making tacklers miss him. He followed his interference as well tonight as he has all season."

JCA scored on its first possession of the night on a 6-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by a 4-yard run by Jones.

The Hillmen put the game in cruise control with a pair of second-half touchdowns sandwiched around a blocked punt that went for a safety to give them a 23-0 halftime lead.

The JCA defense was very active as the Hilltoppers accumulated 8 quarterback sacks and numerous other hurries. The Hillmen also got a pair of interceptions from junior defensive back Travis Jensen.