Snapping the spell

What Plainfield Central started on Friday night along Harvey Rd., the Oswego East football team was able to finish and return in kind.

Yielding several big plays early and trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, the Wolves solidified and saw big plays of their own on the way to a 34-17 win.

Oswego East improved to 2-5, with a 1-4 mark in Southwest Prairie Conference action, and visiting Plainfield Central fell to 0-7, and 0-5 in the SPC landscape.

Helping the winning effort was the triumphant return of senior quarterback Tyler Kennedy, back from a knee injury sustained in the first week and last previous win for the Wolves over Woodstock.

"This is Tyler's second year in the system and he understands what we're trying to do," Oswego East head coach Tyson LeBlanc said.

Also back was senior tight end Noah Mlsna, who was injured in preseason prep.

"Getting Noah back was big, both Tyler and Noah has good games today. When we have Tyler behind center it gives us a little extra confidence," LeBlanc said.

Things got off to a dubious start in gradually chillier temperatures, as Plainfield Central's Jonathon Perez took the opening kickoff down to the 3-yard line where quarterback Marcus Hayes set up from scrimmage and took it in for the touchdown and 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.

Oswego East was able to get the ball moving in its first drive, and Kennedy completed a pass to freshman target I'Shawn Stewart for a 31-yard pickup. The next play went the other way and then some, as Roger Thigpen picked off a Wolves' pass for a 78-yard interception return for a 14-0 lead with 10:05 to go in the first.

The Wildcats would convert on their last drive of the quarter thanks to a 27-yard field goal with 4:39 to go for a daunting 17-0 lead.

Read more:
Snapping the spell