Jacobs beats Normal Community in second round of IHSA playoffs

Normal Community finishes the season 10-1 after going undefeated in the regular season as Big 12 Conference champions. (Photo Twitter/Jacobs Athletics)

By Neil Doyle

ALGONQUIN – It was a low scoring game but Jacobs held on at home to beat Normal Community 17-7 in the second round of the IHSA football playoffs.

The Golden Eagles (8-3) scored the first two touchdowns of the game, both from running back Nasir Canty. The Ironmen (10-1) answered back in the second quarter with a 71-yard pass from senior Chase Mackey to senior Terance Washington.

Both teams went scoreless in the third quarter. NCHS had opportunities with a blocked punt and Jacobs fumble, but couldn’t convert either opportunity into points.

A fumble from NCHS led to a late field goal for Jacobs with about 2:30 left in the game. A Mackey interception with a minute to play sealed the game for the Golden Eagles.

Fighting back tears, Ironmen head coach Jason Drengwitz spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan after the game.

“It’s not what we had hoped for and not what we had planed on. We wanted to be playing a lot longer but it just didn’t work out. But it doesn’t change how proud I am of all these guys. Our coaching staff and our families. We love them to death. It hurts because it’s so special and means so much to everybody.”

Second round games on Saturday:

Class 1A

Peru St. Bede vs. Ridgeview-Lexington, 1pm

Class 2A

Dee-Mack vs. Tri-Valley, 1pm

Tremont vs. Farmington, 1pm

Class 3A

Prairie Central vs. Princeton, 1pm (Can be heard on our sister station Classic Hits 98.9 WJEZ)

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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