Football: Bloom Township Weathers the Storm, Not the Call

Breaking It Down: Bloom Township's football game against Glenbard South had it all--except a Blazing Trojans victory. The Trojans dropped a 30-28 decision on a controversial safety call that came after the two teams waited out a storm delay on Saturday afternoon.

Bloom quarterback LaVante Blackful was being rushed in the end zone and appeared to have thrown the ball inside the pocket to a nearby running back. The referees saw otherwise and ruled that he was out of the pocket, giving the Raiders two points on the safety.

The bizarre end capped a game that early on looked like a blowout, then turned into a thriller. The Raiders scored on their first offensive play as quarterback Tyler Padera threw a short pass to Wesley Sanders. He scampered 65-yards for the touchdown.

After the Blazing Trojans went three-and-out and punted, the Raiders ran the ball seven times and scored again, highlighted by a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Sanders. The Blazing Trojans were about to get on the scoreboard on the next possession, but Kevin McGinnis fumbled at the Raiders' 5.

Bloom regained momentum--and the ball--after James Hayes tipped a pass and McGinnis came up with an interception. Blackful scored on a 5-yard run on the next play. He scored again on a run to tie the game at 14.

It looked like that was going to be the score at halftime, but the Raiders got a play off before the horn rang with Blazing Trojan defenders walking off the field, and Padera found Justin Gjerazi wide open for the touchdown.

The Blazing Trojans tied the game at 21 in dramatic fashion. Blackful's pass was picked off at the Raider 1 by P.J. Duffy. Blazing Trojans wideout Shijuan Rogers forced a fumble after a hit on Duffy at the 5. The bounced into the end zone and was picked up by Shaquille Payne for a touchdown.

Bloom took its first lead at 28-21, but it was short-lived as the Raiders ran back the kickoff to tie the score. The Raiders appeared to be on their way to the win, having first down and the ball at the Blazing Trojans 5 with 3:09 left. Then, storms struck, stalling play twice for a total of about 90 minutes.

The Blazing Trojans stopped the Raiders and got the ball back on downs before the questionable safety call proved to be the difference. Bloom had one last drive and moved to the Raiders' 40 before time ran out.

Patch’s MVP: LaVante Blackful, Bloom Township. Blackful did it both with his feet and his arm, running and passing for nearly 200 yards each. He accounted for three touchdowns.

Bloom Township Stat Pack: LaVante Blackful rushed for 188 yards and passed for 172. 

Glenbard South Stat Pack: The Raiders used the big play to score 21 of their points, the first highlight a 65-yard touchdown pass on the first play. Later, the Raiders returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

Quotable I: “We talked about cutting down on mistakes all week long and we gave them 21 points," Blazing Trojans coach Tony Palombi said.

Quotable II: “It doesn't matter how well I played," Bloom Township quarterback LaVante Blackful said. "All that matters is we didn't get the win."

Team Records: Glenbard South is 2-0. Bloom Township is 0-2.

What’s Next: Glenbard South will play host to Rich East at 7 p.m. on Friday, while Bloom Township will host Amundsen at noon on Saturday.

Scores of Interest: Tinley Park 40, Rich East 28; Thornwood 29, Rich South 21; Crete-Monee 35, Lincoln-Way West 0; and Oak Forest 47, Rich Central 12. For more scores, visit IHSA ScoreZone.

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