Maine South sophomore quarterback Jameson Purcell has began about half the season for the Hawks. Purcell had practically 20 main scholarship provides earlier than he even took a varsity snap, so massive issues had been anticipated from him the second he took the sphere.
However the 6-2, 181-pound lefty has changed into an outstanding highschool participant a lot sooner than virtually anybody anticipated.
The Hawks wanted each one among Purcell’s six landing passes to beat Naperville North 49-42 within the first spherical of the Class 8A playoffs on Saturday in Naperville.
“It’s been completely wonderful watching him,” Maine South senior Michael Dellumo stated. “He will get higher each single day. It’s so stunning how far he has come this season. I by no means thought it may very well be attainable for him to be so good so shortly, to be trustworthy.”
Purcell was 37 for 50 for 465 yards with six TDs and one interception, which got here on the fiftieth go.
“We knew it was going to be a shootout,” Purcell stated. “Each offenses are explosive so we knew we needed to preserve scoring.”
Purcell’s sixth TD go was for 15-yards to Jacob Vitel. That put the Hawks (7-3) forward 49-28 with 11:18 to play.
Naperville North (7-3) has a star quarterback as nicely, Ball State recruit Jacob Bell, who is among the season’s breakout stars. He didn’t go down with no battle, throwing two TD passes to Brock Pettiway within the fourth quarter to chop Maine South’s result in seven.
The Huskies’ last drive stalled on the Maine South 29.
“The objective was clearly to win a state championship,” Bell stated. “Or no less than make a deeper playoff run. However I feel I made my dad and mom and my household proud this season.”
Bell was 34 for 49 for 508 yards with 4 TDs and no interceptions.
“[Bell] was unbelievable,” Maine South coach Dave Inserra stated. “He’s greater than Ball State. He makes each throw. He’s a pleasant measurement child. He runs rather well and he appears actually regular. I misplaced some sleep questioning how we had been going to cease him. And we didn’t.”
Quinn Morris had 11 catches for 179 yards and a pair of TDs for the Huskies. Chico Thomas caught 13 passes for 186 yards with one TD. Pettiway had two TD catches and threw a 63-yard TD go to Morris within the first quarter for Naperville North.
Maine South coach Dave Inserra, who seemingly had a greater concept than anybody of what Purcell was prepared to perform this season, was most impressed with the development in Purcell’s working recreation. He had seven carries for 37 yards and picked up a key first down.
“He was making good selections to run early,” Inserra stated. “He had a pair slides. We’ve been engaged on that. He can clearly throw it. And he’s trusting all the fellows round him.”
Joey Naughton had 11 catches for 172 yards and a TD. Dellumo caught eight passes for 81 yards and a TD and Mason Patras had seven receptions for 97 yards and three TDs for the Hawks.
Maine South will host undefeated West Aurora within the second spherical of the playoffs. The Hawks began the season as a severe state title contender. A month in the past they fell out of the Tremendous 25. Now, with Purcell taking part in like the most effective quarterbacks within the state, the sky is the restrict for the Hawks.
“I’m totally assured we will make a run and beat each workforce in our manner,” Dellumo stated.
Jameson Purcell to Jacob Vitel for a 20-yard TD.
Maine South leads Naperville North 49-28 early within the 4Q.
Purcell has thrown for 438 yards and 6 TDs, simply been phenomenal. pic.twitter.com/WL8Mck5ueF
— Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) November 3, 2024
