Stevenson has finally found its groove––winning three straight games, the last of which against Mundelein on Friday, Sept. 19.

The game was over one minute in; the Patriots lead 7-0 on a big run by Anthony Sibo ’17. Three minutes in, Michael Marchese ’17 intercepted the Mustangs’ first offensive play and Stevenson capitalized on an eight yard reception by Charlie Bourbon ’17 for the touchdown, allowing Stevenson to take a 14 point lead and never look back.

If last week was a clinic on how to play football against Lake Forest, then this week was the stamp on the letter for that motto.

Stevenson scored touchdowns like it was nobody’s business. Even Alshon Jeffery, the Chicago Bears wide receiver who was in attendance at the game, was shocked at how quickly the Patriots put up points.

Aiden O’Connell ’17 has been a spectacular passer all year, but this matchup was mostly reliant on the run game. Stevenson’s next score was through the bruising run style of Matt Korinek ’17, a two yard run in for the touchdown at the end of a 60 yard drive.

O’Connell later found the connection he has come to be known for in the form of a 12 yard fade to Henry Marchese ’17 in the corner of the endzone. Just like that, 28-0.

Even down four touchdowns, the Mustangs pushed onwards. Although their next possession did not put a dent in the score deficit, their punt pinned Stevenson inside the one, where the backups took over.

Grayson Kubow ’18 took over at quarterback and could not capitalize, which after a punt gave Mundelein beautiful starting field position. Later, after a QB draw from seven yards out, Mundelein was down 28-6 after a bad snap on the extra point try.

To finish out the half, Stevenson wanted to seal the deal once and for all, resolving to put their starters back in and quickly regain the momentum from the first three minutes of the game. Sibo and Korinek were dominant on the next drive; Korinek had a long run and got tackled out of bounds which drew the flags, tagging on 15 more yards. Then Sibo finished off Korinek’s work with a four yard run up the gut, putting Stevenson up 35-6.

But just when you thought it was over for the half, it wasn’t. Stevenson capitalized on their next drive––and quickly. O’Connell found speedster Noah Lukz ’17 on a 40 yard streak route and put Stevenson up 42-6.

The backups led the rest of the game for Stevenson, with Alec Klinsky ’17 finishing off the scoring onslaught and culminating in a 48-6 victory.

This game proved Stevenson can do more than what comes through the arm of O’Connell, rushing for more yards on the day than throwing. O’Connell only passed for 161 yards: the Patriots throwing for only 210 yards overall; 214 yards came on the ground with 145 from Sibo and Korinek combined.
The Patriots have made leaps and bounds in their defensive effort over the past two weeks. After allowing 73 points in the first two games, the team’s defensive squad has only allowed 18 their last two. Against Mundelein, they allowed only 48 total passing yards, a testament to their continuous improvement since the beginning of the season.