The IC Catholic Prep football team had its running shoes on in Week 8.
The Knights ran for 331 yards and averaged almost a first-down every carry in their 54-20 Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division win against Wheaton St. Francis.
The victory pushed the two-time defending state-champion Knights to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in MSC Blue play. The win clinched no worse than a tie for the Blue Division title.
Sophomore Kyle Franklin led the rushing barrage by carrying 25 times for 274 yards. He scored four touchdowns and averaged 11 yards per carry. Khalil Saunders ran two times for 46 yards and a touchdown, while Tommy Ryan ran three times for seven yards and also scored a touchdown.
IC Catholic Prep ran 36 times for 331 yards (9.2 yards per carry).
Saunders completed three passes for 69 yards and a score, while Ryan completed three passes as well for 48 yards.
Ryan Malek caught two passes for 21 yards. Khali Saunders caught two passes for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Jacob Lytton caught two passes for 41 yards.
IC Catholic Prep made 69 total tackles on defense. Kevin Cooke led the way with nine. Jalen Bates had six, while Malek, Khali Saunders and Dominic Krepulec each tallied five. Michael Johnson, Ricky Mysliwiec, Jacob Lytton and Cooke each had two tackles for loss.
The Knights registered four quarterback sacks with Johnson leading the way with two. Lytton and Mysliwiec each had one. IC Catholic Prep also was credited with 12 quarterback hurries. Johnson had four of those, while Corties Draper and Koby Reed each had two.
Chauncey Lee, Khalil Saunders and Khali Saunders each had one interception. Khali Saunders returned his 40 yards for a touchdown (finished the game with 2 total touchdowns), while Khalil Saunders had a 28-yard return. Max Cook had two pass deflections and Cooke had one.
The Knights also recovered four fumbles with Lytton, Ryan Kenneally, Kevin Akins and Dom Dicanio each recovering one. Akins returned his 10 yards. Johnson caused a fumble.
Khalil Saunders also ran in a two-point conversion.
IC Catholic Prep wraps up the regular season against Riverside-Brookfield Friday. If the Knights win they will win the conference title (either MSC Blue or West) outright for a fourth year in a row. The Knights hold a half-game lead on Bishop McNamara, which finished the conference season 5-1 (losing only to ICCP).
IC Catholic Prep has won 21 conference games in a row, last losing to Glenbard South in Week 8 of the 2014 season.
