The start of Billy Cernugel’s playoff career was not anything worth remembering.
It was more about getting through and finding his rhythm.
His first three passes either hit the ground or got batted down at the line of scrimmage. His first run went backwards. Hinsdale Central did not record a first down in the first quarter.
Neither did Sandburg.
The offenses were no match for the ferocious and hard-hitting defensive play on both sides. It looked like the classic war of attrition. Then Sean Allison found open space, and Cernugel found his groove.
HInsdale Centrals’ Finnian Little (22) has tight coverage on Sandburgs’Dorian Eady (13) during their IHSA 8A playoff game on October 30 in Hinsdale.
“We were a little slow coming out on offense,” Allison said. “We couldn’t really run the ball. They put me in, and I got stuffed in the middle.”
Instead he looked for daylight.
“I saw the lane, and I bounced it outside and I got some good blocks downfield.”
Allison broke free down the right sideline for a 23-yard gain. Two plays later, Cernugel scored on a 1-yard keeper.
The Red Devils’ offense felt liberated. Sandburg could never quite catch up.
Cernugel accounted for five touchdowns and Allison had a fumble recovery and interception for the Red Devils’ 41-15 victory in a Class 8A first-round state playoff game here Saturday, October 30.
Keeping his opponent at bay, Sandburgs offensive right tackle’ Wesam Alzoubi (66) holds off Red Devils’ Lachlan Jackson (47) in their IHSA 8A playoff game in Hinsdale on October 30.
Hinsdale Central (9-1) won its ninth consecutive game. The seventh-seeded Red Devils advance to host tenth-seeded Glenbrook South next Saturday.
Cernugel threw touchdown passes of 79, 8 and 13 yards. He punctuated his five touchdown performance with a 54-yard scoring run. He completed seven of 13 attempts for 184 yards and rushed for 47 yards.
“Once Sean got that first down, our offense just started to click,” Cernugel said. “I think I did well, but obviously I can do better. A lot of what I did was thanks to the offensive line and the receivers. They did a lot of great things for me today.”
Sandburg’s dream run ended.
What a remarkable ride by new coach Troy McAllister, who directed the Eagles (5-5) to their first state playoff appearance since 2015.
Sandburg Quarterback’ Sean Evans (1) tries to draw the defense to him, running away from the handoff during play in the Eagles 8A IHSA playoff game against Hinsdale Central on October 30 in Hinsdale.
McAllister took over the program last summer after becoming the first Public League coach ever to win a state football championship. He directed Phillips to state championships in 2015 and 2017.
The Eagles play in one of the state’s top conferences, the Southwest Suburban Blue. McAllister made an instant impression.
The Eagles started slowly by losing four of their first five games. The low point of the season was a 42-0 conference loss against Lockport on September 24.
After that game, Sandburg stood at 1-4 and on the outside looking in.
“You could feel after the Lockport game they took it personally,” McAllister said. “Even though it was a tough loss, they said they were going to push through. That set the tone. We said after that game it was do or die time. If we win out, we can get in. If we lose, we’re out.”
A trio of Red Devils’, Lachlan Jackson (47), JT Pyle (9) and Calum Kelly (55) press the Sandburg Offense during their IHSA 8A Playoff game in Hinsdale on October 30.
A week later, the Eagles stormed back for an improbable 30-27 victory over defending Class 8A state champion Lincoln-Way East.
Sandburg ended the season on a four-game winning streak. The offense erupted for 59 points in two out of the last three games. As a 26th seed, the Eagles felt comfortable.
Hinsdale Central also had a negative recent history it was trying to pulverize.
“We haven’t won a playoff game since 2018,” linebacker Lachlan Jackson said. “The last time we had a playoff game on this field, we lost by 30-something points. We wanted to show we are here to play. We are here to win.”
Hinsdale Central seized the 13-0 halftime advantage.
A pair of Double-Nickles’, Hinsdale Centrals’ Calum Kelly (left) and Sandburgs’ Zach Barrett (right), sqaure off during their IHSA 8A playoff game on October 30 in Hinsdale.
Cernugel collaborated with receiver Reece Kolke on the game-changing action late in the second quarter.
On second down, he bought time in the pocket and threw a beautiful deep ball down the right sideline that Kolke elevated for the terrific catch. He fought off a defensive back and reached the end zone for the 79-yard touchdown.
“We knew we were going to have one-on-one coverage, and Reece is a heck of a receiver,” Cernugel said. “They were blitzing a lot earlier in the game. It was useful to see where the blitzes were coming from.”
Cernugel has excellent size and length at 6-feet-3 inches. He has the presence and poise to stand in the pocket or move around to escape the pressure.
Eagles’ defensive end Tyler Deboer was a one-man wrecking crew throughout the first half. He had two pass deflections and two sacks. His quickness and strength off the edge created a lot of disruption for the Red Devils.
Hinsdale Centrals’ Fawaz Ilumoka (11) and Calum Kelly (55) celebrate a touchdown while teammate Nick Fahey (19 )is all smiles during the Red Devils IHSA 8A playoff game against Sandburg on October 30 in Hinsdale.
“Our defense was great, but we just put them in some very bad spots,” McAllister said. “We were doing great. When they get enough plays, things are going to happen against us.”
Hinsdale Central’s aggressive and electric defense posted four shutouts during the season. That strength, quickness and ferocious distortion was on constant display.
Sandburg quarterback Christian Evans rarely had time to throw or set up. The fact he accumulated as many yards as he did was a testament to his own athleticism and creativity with the ball.
Hinsdale Central posted nine sacks. Evans finished with -50 rushing yards.
Sandburg receiver’ Walter Davis (18) looks to complete the catch against Hinsdale Central defender’ Kevin Connors (3) in their IHSA 8A playoff game on October 30 in Hinsdale.
Defensive linemen Micah McCurry and Josh Narcisse and linebackers Michael Gallagher, JT Pyle and Jackson created a destabilizing havoc.
Allison played a superb two-way game with 34 yards rushing. On defense, he had the fumble recovery, the interception and made six tackles. He had two tackles for loss.
“Their defensive front is really good,” McAllister said. “They get after it. They don’t bring a ton of numbers pressure-wise. They slant, they stunt, and they blitz. A credit to them.”
Hinsdale Central broke the game open during the third quarter.
Soaring to block the Red Devil Conversion kick, Sandburg’ Alex Szczesniak (50) goes skyward along with a teammate, during their 8A playoff game on October 30 in Hinsdale.
Finnian Little deflected a punt that Andrew Sheldon returned to the 9-yard line. Two plays later, Cernugel hit receiver Michael Hinchman on a slant for the 8-yard scoring stride.
A 29-yard connection between Cernugel and Kolke set up the quarterback’s third touchdown strike. He rolled left and hit running back Nick Fahy in the left flat for a 13-yard touchdown. Running back Fawaz Ilumoka also scored on a 7-yard run.
The offensive bright spot for the Eagles was the big play connection between Evans and junior receiver Walter Davis. Davis showed athleticism and great hands by posting six catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
He broke two tackles to make a circus catch on a 50-yard scoring play in the fourth quarter. He finished with another 30-yard scoring strike from Evans on the Eagles’ final possession of the game.
With a little help from teammate Ryan Noonan (right), Sandbrug runningback’ Katrell Thompson (30) cuts back as Hinsdale defender’ Gavin Vande Lune (14) looks to make the tackle on October 30 during their IHSA 8A playoff game.
The never-give-up attitude of the Eagles underscored their resilience and toughness and desire to close out strong.
“Walter and I have a strong connection outside of football,” Evans said. “Being able to bring that together on the field allows us to have fun and just play. We are going to be back here next year, and making plays just like that.”
Evans finished 14 of 30 for 253 yards.
Tommy Stotts, Alex Szczesniak and Dylan Schick had standout games for the Eagles’ defense.
“Starting off 1-4 and coming off a 42-0 loss to Lockport, nobody thought we could do this,” Evans said. “We fought adversity all year. We beat Lincoln-Way East, we beat Homewood-Flossmoor. Everything clicked in that East game. I think that’s where we really found where we are. That’s when things really started to click with us.”
Hinsdale Central Quarterback’ Bill Cernugel Looks downfield during the Red Devils playoff game against Sandburg on October 30 in Hinsdale.
At the end, Cernugel was just trying to run out the clock. He got caught in the emotion for his game-sealing 54-yard touchdown run.
“From here on out, it’s win or go home,” Cernugel said. “You have to give it everything you’ve got. We have to do that every single game.”
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