PALOS HEIGHTS — Blocking and tackling has been one consistent key for Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin football over the past 18 years.
Head coach Mark Dodd, who is 143-40 over that period, believes very simply that every game on the football field is determined by the team that blocks and tackles the best.
On Saturday night at the Southwest Chicago Christian School Stadium, his Blue Devils weren’t the best blocking and tackling team.
That honor went to the Chicago Christian Knights, who defeated Bis-Henn/Ross-Al 34-13 in an IHSA Class 2A quarterfinal contest.
“We definitely were not the best blocking and tackling team and we lost the battle,’’ said Dodd, noting that it once again determined the winning team. “It was kind of uncharacteristic for us. The footing was kind of bad and I don’t know if that played a part in it, but we just didn’t look like our usual self.
“We were there, but we weren’t getting our shoulder pads at the right level and it seemed like we were sliding off tackles and we were not running our feet well on our blocks. This team has been pretty stellar in both areas this season, but not tonight.’’
Bis-Henn/Ross-Al senior Evan Parish acknowledged it was a slippery field, but he didn’t feel like he had problems with traction on the grass field.
“Coach Dodd got us some cleats with longer spikes to help with that,’’ Parish said. “I can’t speak for anyone else, but I didn’t feel like traction was a big problem.’’
And for the first four minutes of the game, the field conditions were definitely not a problem for the Blue Devils (11-1).
Just two plays into the contest, BHRA senior Eli McConkey picked off the first pass attempt from Chicago Christian quarterback Christian Flutman.
It only took the Blue Devils four play after the interception to make it a 7-0 game on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Anderson Thomas to Chaz Dubois, who won the battle with Flutman for the ball in the corner of the end zone.
“I kind of feel like, in a weird way, scoring first, mentally, might have been a bad thing for us,’’ Dodd said. “I don’t know if our kids relaxed a little too much or starting feeling too good for some reason after that.
“Give them all the credit, their quarterback came back to throw a couple of balls that had to be put in one spot and he did it. Our coverage was perfect, but it wasn’t awful either. He really opened things up with a couple of great passes.’’
The Knights (11-1) came right back with a 10-play, 68-yard drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Flutman to Jared Hall.
After a three-and-out for the BHRA offense, Chicago Christian took the lead for good with a 6-play 53-yard scoring drive that was against capped by a Flutman touchdown pass, this time 27 yards to Eddie Van Dellen.
Flutman made it three straight on the very next possession for the Knights, hitting Van Dellen again from 27 yards and Chicago Christian took a 21-7 halftime lead.
“We definitely had to be better on defense,’’ Parish admitted. “I’m proud of how my boys competed until the end.
“I don’t know if the momentum dropped after they made some plays or what, we just never got things back on track.’’
The Knights capped off their victory with a pair of long touchdown runs in the second half. Kenny Jager scored from 71 yards after an interception by Van Dellen at the 3-yard line and then Flutman raced 68 yards for a score to start the fourth quarter.
“You have to have some really special players when you get to this level,’’ Dodd said. “Their dudes came out a little ahead of our dudes.
“I can’t fault our kids for their effort. We played hard and we played physical, but you have to play a great game and we didn’t do that today.’’
Additionally, Bis-Henn/Ross-Al was unable to have one of its key plays on defense as Dubois was limited to offense only because of a shoulder injury.
“We tried to fake it as long as we could,’’ Dodd said. “He tried, but he couldn’t go on defense. We needed him on the offensive side.’’
With the loss, the Blue Devils cap a season which saw them set a school record for wins (11) and they advanced to their first-ever appearance in the Class 2A quarterfinals.
“No one thought we would be here, but I always knew,’’ Parish said. “Everything we did this season was for each other and I’m glad that I got to complete with this group of guys.
“The thing I’m going to remember the most is how we grew this year. I just hope that we have improved the culture of the program for the groups that are coming up behind us.’’
Chicago Christian advances to play Farmington in a Class 2A semifinal contest this Saturday.
IHSA Class 2A Quarterfinal At Southwest Chicago Christian School Stadium Chicago Christian 34, Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 13
Bis-Henn/Ross-Al 7 0 0 6 — 13
Chicago Christian 6 15 7 6 — 34
First quarter
BHRA — Chaz Dubois 14-yard pass from Anderson Thomas (Thomas Kick), 8:40.
CC — Jared Hall 5-yard pass from Christian Flutman (kick failed), 2:20.
Second quarter
CC — Eddie Van Dellen 27-yard pass from Flutman (Demo Griggs pass from Flutman), 9:35.
CC — Van Dellen 27-yard pass from Flutman (Hall kick), 5:46.
Third quarter
CC — Kenny Jager 71-yard run (Hall kick), 2:29.
Fourth quarter
CC — Flutman 68-yard run (kick failed), 11:06.
BHRA — Evan Parish 4-yard run (no extra point), 0:00.
Statistical leaders
Rushing — BHRA: Evan Parish 16-91, Ethan Dubois 7-43. CC: Kenny Jager 17-135, Christian Flutman 4-90.
Passing — BHRA: Anderson Thomas 10-23-1 117 yards. CC: Flutman 10-15-1 148 yards.
Receiving — BHRA: Chaz Dubois 5-67. CC: Eddie Van Dellen 5-90, Jared Hall 3-19.
Records — Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 11-1 overall. Chicago Christian 11-1 overall.