Sports
Defense Leads Joliet West Past Joliet Central
The Steelmen fall to crosstown rival Tigers in first game at Joliet Central Stadium
As the Joliet Central Steelmen took the field Saturday, things seemed to be falling into place.
They were hosting their first game, against crosstown rival Joliet West, at the new Joliet Central Stadium. The downpour during the sophomore game gave way to sunshine, and senior running back K.T. Carpenter took the pitch on the first snap of the game 33 yards into Tigers’ territory.
Unfortunately, for the Steelemen, that would be their biggest offensive play of the day as Joliet Central (0-5, 0-3) fell to Joliet West (1-4, 1-2) 21-0 on Saturday afternoon.
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During the first half, the Steelmen defense was able to keep the Tigers out of the end zone. West’s only score came on a blocked punt returned 26 yards for a touchdown by senior defensive back Calvin Edwards in the second quarter.
“I just ran and used my track speed,” Edwards said. “I thought the punter was going to catch me – it was a race.”
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The Tigers had several opportunities to extend the lead in the first half, but three touchdowns were called back because of penalties.
“We shot ourselves in the foot an awful lot, offensively,” Joliet West coach Jason Aubry said. “We didn’t do what we should have done, but defensively our kids stepped up and took responsibility. And that’s how you win football games – defensively.”
The Tigers’ offense finally got on track in the second half as junior running back Kameron Hargrove capped off a solid drive with a 20-yard touchdown run to put West up 14-0 in the third quarter.
The running game produced another big play when senior running back Ramarr Jordan took his first carry of the game 44 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 Tigers lead. Hargrove finished the game with 64 yards rushing, while Jordan tallied 74 yards on the ground. Both players did all of their damage in the second half.
Despite the loss, Central coach Mike Maloney felt his team played better, especially the secondary that forced two interceptions when West was threatening to score.
“The secondary played hard, and at the beginning of the year I thought that was our best unit as far as overall talent,” coach Maloney said. “Our defense held an explosive offense to 14 points. I’m happy where we’re at as far as the level of effort; they were just a better team than us today.”
Joliet West was the better team Saturday. The reward is their first win of the season and bragging rights against their crosstown rival.
