LEMONT -- Robert Earnest, Brett Nagel, Nick Simone and Nick Carvell provided the punch in Lemont's Aaron Nagel-less offense Friday, destroying Marshall 47-0 in the Class 5A playoff opener.The Indians (8-2) missed their Notre Dame-bound senior running back/safety, but they didn't need him against Marshall (7-3).Lemont travels to Woodstock Marian or Montini for the second round of the playoffs next weekend. Nagel injured his knee in the eighth game of the season against Oak Forest. He didn't play last week in Lemont's win over Bremen.Earnest, a junior, scored two touchdowns, junior quarterback Brett Nagel scored two touchdowns and senior running back Carvell also scored two touchdowns as the Indians rolled up their 47-point margin of victory in the first half. Simone scored one touchdown.
"It was a team effort," said Earnest, who scored from the 4 on Lemont's first possession to put the Indians ahead 6-0 and finished with 64 yards on eight carries. "Our offensive line is just huge. I give them all the credit in the world."Earnest's second touchdown, a 31-yard run, came at the 6:39 mark of the second quarter and put Lemont ahead 40-0.
Brett Nagel showed his prowess as a running quarterback by scoring on a 55-yard scamper and a 6-yard plunge. The first touchdown run came on a play that looked like it was designed to give him both a passing and a running option. The second was just a straight keeper.
Carvell scored on runs of 31 yards and 20 yards, respectively, to help Lemont build a 19-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. He finished with 82 yards on 8 carries. He also injured his knee in the game and may miss next week's playoff game.
We were well-prepared, and we came out and we played hard," Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen said. "We wanted to play a physical game and negate some of their speed and some of the really great players they have."The Indians showed something as far as playmaking ability as well.
"With Aaron out, we've been sharing that position (running back), and Bobby gives us a nice little change of pace because he's really fast. Nick Carvell is also fast, but he's a physical runner as well," Michaelsen said. "The offensive line did a nice job. We wanted to come out and run it right at these guys, and the offensive line was able to make some holes."Lemont's defense suffocated the Commandos. The Indians intercepted five passes, two by linebacker Willie Hayes. Lemont held Marshall to minus-24 yards rushing in the game. The Indians surrendered only seven first downs."My middle linebackers did a nice job, Hayes and (Gordie) Kickels. My defensive backs (Kyle) Jorgensen and (Ryan) Buttney also did a nice job," Michaelsen said.Michaelsen is optimistic that Aaron Nagel will return to action next week."I'm hoping he will be able to play next week," Michaelsen said."He's working his tail off trying to get back."
Source: SuburbanChicagoNews.com