The two-time defending state-champion IC Catholic Prep football team picked up right where it left off.
The Knights opened the 2018 season at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington with a 50-14 non-conference win over Belleville Althoff Catholic.
IC Catholic Prep, now 28-1 over its last 29 games dating back to 2016, rushed for 423 yards on only 37 carries, or 11.4 yards per rush.
Sophomore Kyle Franklin led the Knights with 10 carries for 206 yards. He scored four touchdowns and had a long run of 84 yards.
Sophomore Steven Crady ran 11 times for 146 yards and scored two touchdowns. Freshman Nakiyan Weathers had eight carries for 50 yards and sophomore Will Cooke ran four times for 11 yards.
Senior quarterback Khalil Saunders threw for 58 yards and one touchdown. Senior Tommy Ryan threw for 25 yards.
Sean Hipskind (32 yards), Khali Saunders (26 yards) and Jack Ryan (25 yards) each had a reception. Saunders caught a touchdown pass from his brother.
Franklin also returned a kickoff 85 yards. IC Catholic Prep rolled up 506 yards of total offense.
On defense, Jacob Lytton had eight tackles, while Khali Saunders, Kevin Cooke, Kemon Reese and Dominick Krepulec each had six tackles. IC Catholic Prep registered seven tackles for loss. Reese had three of those and also had two quarterback sacks totaling 19 yards in losses.
Ryan Malek and Khali Saunders each tallied an interception. Reese also recovered a fumble and returned it eight yards.
IC Catholic Prep is back in action Friday at 7:15 p.m. at home against Joliet Catholic in another non-conference contest.
