After last year’s disappointing 3-6 season, the Fenwick High School football team has responded with a superb 2016 campaign.

“Last year was not Fenwick’s best,” senior running back Conner Lillig said, “but we have come a long way since then because everybody on our team has strived for success.

“As (Fenwick head) Coach Nudo says, ‘We are always a work in progress,’ meaning we can always improve which only helps us become more successful.”

The Friars’ determination and confidence, coupled with plenty of talent, has been on display all season. Fenwick is 7-1 overall and 3-0 in the Chicago Catholic League Green Division after Friday’s 49-20 win against St. Francis in Wheaton Friday. The victory secured the CCL Green championship for the Friars.

Senior quarterback Jacob Keller (10-for-14, 123 yards, 3 TDs) threw touchdown passes, one each to Conner Lillig, Mike O’Laughlin (3 catches, 42 yards) and Sherman Martin (4 catches, 41 yards) in the first quarter to powering Fenwick to a 21-0 lead over St. Francis.

In the second half, running backs Michael Paunove and Jackson Haeflinger tacked on a touchdown apiece as the Friars extended their lead to 35-0 at halftime.

Fenwick linebacker Brett Moorman returned a fumble for a touchdown to make the score 42-0 in the second half.

Bulldogs gash Green Wave

Protecting a 21-13 lead late in the third quarter, RBHS went on a 35-point run to claim a 56-13 win over host St. Edward Friday in a Metro Suburban Blue matchup. RBHS quarterback Hunter Hughes triggered the scoring barrage on a 20-yard run in the closing seconds of this third quarter.

Fourth quarter scoring highlights included Stefan Giminski’s TD catch, Nicolas Del Nodal’s 57-yard TD run and Emmanuel Salther’s 12-yard TD run.

RBHS excelled defensively as well against the Green Wave, with eight sacks and six interceptions.

The Bulldogs (6-2, 3-1) close out the regular season on the road at Glenbard South (5-3, 3-1) Friday, Oct. 21. Kickoff is 7:15 p.m.

Lions struggle at OPRF

The Week 8 matchup between Lyons Township and Oak Park and River Forest was viewed as potentially an entertaining shootout considering both teams’ offensive firepower.

Unfortunately for LTHS, the host Huskies provided most of the scoring en route to a 27-3 win. With the loss, the Lions fall to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division.

Against OPRF, the Lions’ highly touted senior quarterback Ben Bryant completed 5 of 17 passes for 40 yards and running back Reggie Terrell rushed 14 times for 39 yards. OPRF clearly held the edge statistically against the Lions with more total yards (407-82), number of plays (73-40) , first downs (22-7) and time of possession (33:21-14.39).

Kicker Nathan Rusk made a 30-yard field goal midway through the second quarter for the Lions’ lone score.

Defensively, LTHS linebacker Jack Walton had a game-high 17 tackles and promising sophomore Hareson Willis added 13.