By Jason Hickman
MaxPreps.com
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No Helmet, Big Problem for Bolingbrook
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Illinois' biggest matchup of the weekend featuring unbeatens Bolingbrook (MaxPreps' No. 33-ranked team nationally) and Lincoln-Way East was highlighted by a play that never happened, officially.
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With just over eight minutes to go and Bolingbrook trailing the state's defending 8A champions, Raider running back Dale Martin sprinted 74 yards, seemingly putting his team in position for the tying score.
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But according to the Chicago-Sun Times, Martin's helmet flew off his head 14 yards into the run, nullifying the play under a new Illinois High School Association rule that states a play is dead when the ball carrier's helmet is off.
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That helped Lincoln-Way East hold on for a come-from-behind, 22-14 victory - the Griffins' 20th in as many games.
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"That's my new favorite rule," Lincoln-Way East head coach Rob Zvonar told the Chicago-Sun Times. "We're very happy they got the right call."
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Winter Haven Snaps Armwood's Streak
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For the past five seasons, the Armwood (Fla.) Hawks have dominated 4A Districts 10 and 12, leaving a wake of lopsided scores behind them. 84-0. 61-0. 72-13.
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But for the first time since Oct. 4, 2002, Armwood will spend a week trying to bounce back from a district loss after Winter Haven overcame a 14-point deficit for a 26-25, overtime victory Friday night.
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After falling behind by two scores in the first quarter, Winter Haven forced five turnovers and got two touchdown runs from Dasmon Williams - including the game-winner in overtime - to hand the Hawks their first on-field district loss in almost four years. Armwood was forced to forfeit a 2004 game after using an ineligible player.
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But Armwood head coach Sean Callahan thinks the loss could serve as a wake-up call for a team that has seen its district rivals inch a step closer in 2006. The Hawks outscored opponents by an average of 35 in 2004 and 26 in 2005, but had already edged a pair of opponents by 10 or less in 2006.
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"I do think this is going to be a good thing for us. We were winning ball games, and you couldn't tell the difference between winning and showing up for practice," Callahan told the Tampa Tribune. "We're going to turn this thing into a positive, and we're going to be ready to go again."
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The victory may signal a coming-of-age for Winter Haven. The Blue Devils were trounced by Armwood, 42-0, a year ago, but entered 2006 with high expectations and one of the state's best quarterbacks in junior DC Jefferson.
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After being handled by Lakeland, 34-7, two weeks ago, Winter Haven proved it belonged in 4A title discussions by knocking off the classification's No. 1 team - and a certified state power at any level - Friday night.
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Team of the Week: John Curtis, La.
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Hoover (Ala.) entered Friday's game against John Curtis with a 14-game winning streak, its own reality show airing on MTV, and a No. 1 national ranking by USA Today.
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The Buccaneers didn't have Joe McKnight, however. Curtis' do-it-all star scored a pair of touchdowns and totaled 205 rushing and receiving yards on just eight touches, leading his Patriots past Hoover in an ESPNU-televised game, 28-14.
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The victory gave head coach J.T. Curtis' program a 14-game winning streak of its own, and probably wasn't a huge shocker for those familiar with the New Orleans-area school. Under the direction of Curtis, the Patriots have won 20 state titles and are a strong favorite to make it 21 in 2006.
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Max Performer of the Week: Paul McCoy, Running Back, Matewan High (W.V.)
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West Virginia's Paul McCoy outdid himself this week. In fact, he outdid every single-game rushing performance in the history of high school football.
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McCoy sprinted to a disputed national record of 658 yards Friday night in a victory over Burch (W.V.), reaching the end zone 10 times. McCoy's touchdown runs alone covered 447 yards.
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The previous record, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, belonged to Ronney Jenkins of Rio Mesa High in Oxnard, Calif., who racked up 619 yards in a 1995 game.
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But noted high school records expert Doug Huff lists a 739-yard rushing performance by John Giannantonio of Netcong, N.J., in 1950 in his records. Regardless of whether McCoy's mark is a record or not, Friday's feat is the most remarkable individual achievement this season.
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McCoy opened his senior campaign with a 537-yard game against Shelby Valley, Ky., and followed with 306 yards the next week. He has accumulated over 1,700 yards and 26 touchdowns in five games.
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McCoy's accomplishment landed him on ESPN and in newspapers around the country over the weekend. Not bad for a kid from Matewan, W.V., population 602.
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Special Mention: Isaiah Johnson, Running Back, Roosevelt High (Ore.)
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In any other week, Roosevelt High's (Portland, Ore.) Isaiah Johnson would have been a no-brainer for Player of the Week honors.
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The 6-1, 220-pound senior rumbled for 467 yards and six touchdowns on just 25 carries in a 62-51, shootout victory over Eagle Point. Johnson scored on runs of 44, 68, 79, 4, 38, and 50 yards.
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The Roughriders amassed 529 yards on the ground as a team.
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Looking Ahead
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Under the direction of fourth-year head coach Craig Howard, Nease (Fla.) has become a nationally-recognized powerhouse.
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The Panthers captured a state title a year ago with current Florida Gator Tim Tebow at quarterback, and have piled up a record of 24-4 over the past two seasons.
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But three of those four losses have been particularly bitter defeats coming at the hands of cross-town rival St. Augustine.
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The MaxPreps USA Football Tour will be on hand Friday to see if Nease can get over the hump against St. Augustine, or if the Yellow Jackets will extend their 21-game winning streak at the expense of the Panthers.
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St. Augustine knocked off Nease twice during the 2004 season, including a 35-28 playoff thriller, and again in 2005, 20-14. Howard hasn't been able to solve the Yellow Jackets since arriving in 2003.
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Going from the East Coast to the West, last week's MaxPreps No. 1, De La Salle, Calif. (4-0), will host a monster North/South showdown with Mission Viejo (3-1).
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It's not often that revenge can serve as motivation for Bob Ladouceur's Spartans, who have won 170 of their last 177 games, but they certainly haven't forgot a 36-26 loss to the Diablos a year ago.
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De La Salle has won 12-straight since and is beginning to wash away people's memories of an 8-3-2 campaign in 2004.
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Mission Viejo's only loss came to unbeaten Mater Dei.
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Bulletin Board
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- Mission Viejo, Calif., head coach Bob Johnson to the Orange County Register, on his team's first half troubles against Vista leading up to this week's showdown with De La Salle:
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"Hopefully, that team shows up against De La Salle. Because if the first-half team shows up against De La Salle, I'm leaving at halftime. I'm getting an early ticket and flying home."
Photo: Linebacker Brady Amack and De La Salle (Calif.) are looking to avenge last season's 36-26 loss to Mission Viejo (By Dennis Lee).