44 | October 3, 2019 | the frankfort station sports frankfortstationdaily.com Football Celtics block three punts, Vaughn runs wild in win over Carmel SEAN HASTINGS Contributing Editor Providence sophomore running back Aaron Vaughn said he did not know what to do with his Friday night Sept. 27. It was weird not having anything to do on Friday for the first time in over a month. He should have been playing a football game, but the Celtics were one of the many area schools to have their game washed away and made up on Saturday. So, Vaughn spent the night watching extra videos to prepare even more for the Celtics’ game against Carmel on Saturday, Sept. 28. Whatever he and the rest of his team did on the rainy Friday night worked as the Celtics rolled past the Corsairs 49-6 in a Catholic League/ESCC crossover in New Lenox. “We came in just as hyped,” Vaughn said. Right off the bat, Carmel went three-and-out and went to punt it away, but senior Kevin Countryman blocked the punt and set up the Providence offense at Carmel’s 9-yard line, which led to a 5-yard touchdown run by quarterback Kevin Conway. Countryman’s block was the first of three punt blocks by the Celtics (4-1). “Field position is everything,” Conway said. “We got that one and almost scored on it, then we got the other one [blocked by Elias Valdez, scored by Dakota Straight] and scored on that and then our linebacker [Andy Degner] got one and scored on it. We made sure we controlled the field position really well.” Valdez’ block came just seven seconds into the second quarter. Carmel had the ball at its own 20 and a group of Celtics rushed the punter, Valdez blocked it and Straight dove on it in the end zone to make it 14-0. Carmel (1-4) opted to not send its punting unit out the rest of the game, instead punting out of an offensive formation. That worked twice, but Degner’s block came in that situation. “It made us feel like we beat them,” Countryman said of Carmel struggling to punt. “They weren’t [able to do much] on the field and Carmel at Providence, Sept. 28 1 2 3 4 F Carmel 0 0 6 0 6 Providence 7 14 14 14 49 Three Stars of the Game: 1. Aaron Vaughn, Providence, sophomore running back: 203 rushing yards on 19 attempts, two touchdowns, 75- yard touchdown run 2. Andy Degner, Providence, junior linebacker: Blocked punt and touchdown 3. Kevin Conway, Providence, junior quarterback: 84 passing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 49-yard run. Up Next: Providence hosts St. Rita (2-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. The Mustangs are coming off a 44-10 win over Marian Central Catholic. it made us feel like we can cover anything, do anything and beat them any other way we possibly can.” The Celtics’ defense allowed 177 yards, 65 of which came on a touchdown pass from Avery Bugaj to Kimahri Wilson. Bugaj took a huge hit — not uncommon on Saturday — from Anthony Prucha, but got the pass away. Junior linebacker Jack Noone and senior defensive lineman Zack Hitterman each had a sack. Senior defensive lineman Michael Charnot had an interception. Senior Ben Seeber, senior defensive back Max Pignotti, sophomore defensive back Brayden Garrigan and Valdez each had a tackle for loss in the win. And just as the defense shut down the Carmel offense, the Celtic offense also had its way with the Corsairs. Playing Saturday did not make a difference for Vaughn, as the sophomore running back ran for 203 yards on 19 attempts, including a 75-yard score that put Providence up 42- 6. Vaughn also scored on a 3-yard run late in the first half to make it 21-0. “I felt really good,” he said. “I can’t do it without my linemen and the guys in front. They’re amazing, all of them are top notch. Without them, I wouldn’t be putting up big numbers. It still feels good, though, breaking off these big runs and hearing the crowd yelling. It’s just a good feeling.” Providence put up 405 total yards, with 321 coming on the ground. Conway threw for 84 yards on 7-of- 16 passing. He also ran for 71 yards, including a 49- yard keeper. Conway scored two touchdowns for Providence, the first coming after the Countryman blocked punt in the first quarter and 4 Providence running back Aaron Vaughn runs after making a catch in the Celtics’ 49-6 win over Carmel on Saturday, Sept. 28. Sean Hastings/22nd Century Media the second score was a 12- yard run, 10 of which coming when he carried the pile into the endzone. Junior running back Max Dillman broke off a 30-yard touchdown run to make it 49-6 in the fourth. The offense simply had its way with the Corsair defense. “We’re practicing all the time, so we just make sure we give it our all in practice, and it transfers to the game and we just do what we have to do,” Vaughn said. One more win will likely be enough for Providence to get a playoff spot. The Celtics will have their first chance to get that victory when they host St. Rita (2-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4. Millar went perfect and is tied with Vorva for the lead. The two sports editors are leading the pack so nature is in its correct balance. For now, anyway… Our staff’s predictions for the top games in Week 6 27-8 27-8 26-9 Sean Hastings | Contributing Editor 25-10 24-11 23-12 Game of the Week • St. Rita (2-3) at Providence (4-1) Other Games to Watch • Andrew (4-1) at Bradley-Bourbonnais (2-3) • Tinley Park (2-3) at Lemont (4-1) • Lincoln-Way East (5-0) at LW Central (1-4) • Sandburg (2-3) at Homewood-Flossmoor (4-1) • LW West (3-2) at Stagg (1-4) • Bolingbrook (4-1) at Lockport (2-3) Steve Millar | Sports Editor • Providence 30, St. Rita 17. Celtics keep rolling behind Conway, Vaughn and an opportunistic defense. • Andrew • Lemont • LW East • H-F • LW West • Bolingbrook Jeff Vorva | Sports Editor • Providence 28, St. Rita 17. St. Rita is not playing like the ST. RITA powerhouse of old and the Celtics continue winning. • Andrew • Lemont • LW East • H-F • LW West • Bolingbrook • Providence 28, St. Rita 21. Providence offense says hot. • Bradley • Tinley Park • LW East • H-F • LW West • Bolingbrook Thomas Czaja | Editor • Providence 21, St. Rita 20. With both teams coming off big wins, Celtics make a few more plays to maintain momentum. • Andrew • Lemont • LW East • H-F • LW West • Bolingbrook Joe Coughlin | Publisher • Providence 35, St. Rita 24. Celtics attack will have plenty of room against the Mustangs. • Andrew • Lemont • LW East • H-F • LW West • Bolingbrook Heather Warthen | Chief Marketing Officer • Providence 17, St. Rita 14. Tough matchup but Celtics will prevail. • Andrew • Lemont • LW East • H-F • LW West • Bolingbrook
frankfortstationdaily.com frankfort the frankfort station | October 3, 2019 | 45 Celebrating our 60th Anniversary Serving Chicagoland for 60 years! 2019 WINNER Visit our 4,000 square foot showroom to view our wide selection of products CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE ON WINDOW REPLACEMENTS! Windows Interior & Exterior Doors Mirrors & Glass Professional Installation & Service Reglazing • Shower Doors Celebrating our 60th Anniversary 18445 Thompson Ct. Tinley Park, IL 708.342.0900 | www.schaafwindow.com Follow us on