New Trier Football

Trevians win third straight heading into matchup with Maine South

After losing its season opener to Schaumburg, the New Trier football team is clicking on all cylinders.

The Trevians have reeled off three consecutive commanding victories, their latest being a 62-0 rout of Maine West in a Central Suburban League crossover battle Friday night in Northfield.

The stunning dominance of the Trevians (3-1) over the last three weeks comes at a perfect time as they play host to perennial state and CSL South powerhouse Maine South (4-0).

"We’re jacked right now," said New Trier running back Michael Thomas, who finished with two touchdowns and 50 yards on 10 carries against the Warriors (0-4).

"We’re running on all cylinders. Our offensive line is looking sharp. They’re getting a jump on the ball and once again the defense is getting turnovers. Hopefully, we could do it next week."

On their recent streak, the Trevians have averaged 28.6 points per game while surrendering 6.6 points, matching up well with a high-powered Maine South team.

"We certainly have a tough test, starting with Maine South," New Trier coach Dan Starkey said. "They are the measuring stick of the conference and they’ve got a great football team and they’re well coached so it’s going to be a great challenge for us."

New Trier nearly went unchallenged as they got out of the gates in a hurry against the Warriors and eventually scored on all nine possessions on the night.

After a big 70-yard return by New Trier receiver Christian Carr on the opening kickoff, quarterback Jack Nykaza (8-of-8 passing, 74 yards) engineered a four-play, 25-yard drive that ended in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Carr to lead 7-0.

That was just the beginning for New Trier.

A dominating defensive series by the Trevians forced Maine West to punt after a three-and-out. Six plays later, Nykaza took the play into his own hands and ran in a quarterback sneak from 2 yards out to make it 14-0.

Thomas then gave New Trier a 21-0 lead, punching in the ball from 1-yard out with 1 minute, 22 seconds left in the first quarter.

"Our kids have worked hard," Starkey said. "They did what we wanted them to do in all three phases of the game and we executed well. We got off to a fast start offensively and we really did some great things."

Nykaza continued to do some great things, rushing for a touchdown four minutes into the second quarter to make it 28-0.

On Maine West’s ensuing possession, the Trevians forced and recovered a fumble deep in the Warriors’ territory.
Daniel Olaniyan (5 carries, 100 yards) extended the lead, scoring from 30 yards out to make it 34-0 after the missed extra point.

The Trevians’ dominance on both sides of the ball continued midway through the second quarter.

Maine West once again stalled on offense, turning the ball over at midfield on a fumble.

Thomas nearly single-handedly manufactured the Trevians’ final drive of the first half with six carries on 38 yards, ending in a 3-yard scamper with 14.7 seconds left in the half to open a 41-0 lead.

New Trier outgained Maine West 253 to 30 yards in the first half.

"It was a great win," Thomas said. "We were looking at it all week and focusing on Maine West."

The Trevians’ backups took over in the second half and didn’t skip a beat, getting scores from Grant Forsyth, Will Hirsch and George Seaberry.

"We came out and really executed," Starkey said. "That’s what I wanted to see our kids do. Regardless of whom we’re playing, we wanted to execute well. I was proud that we were able to rotate kids in and out of the game. We just have good numbers this year and the kids are working hard and they’re doing everything to be successful."

Meanwhile, it isn’t getting any easier for the Warriors, who lost a few more players to injuries.

Starting quarterback Jake Korbecki missed the second half with a left knee injury. Raul Anaya and lineman Matthew Finnander also missed the second half. Lineman John Wojcik left the game on crutches.

"We’re hurting right now," said Maine West coach Chris Hare, who already lost running back BJ Lambert earlier this season with a knee injury. "We’re thin as it is. In situations like that, you ask for guys to step up. We talked about opportunities. When you get opportunities, you have to make the most of it. Hopefully guys will step up and make something happen."

The Warriors will need turn things around in a hurry, as they will face Highland Park next week to kick off CSL North play.

"Briefly, we showed sometimes that we wanted to compete (tonight)," Hare said. "And at other times, we didn’t compete as much as we should.

"It’s still tough to get over this. You can never get over a loss easily. But we’re going to turn the page tomorrow and we’re going to look at Highland Park and try and get a conference win and compete there."

Maine West running back Jake Gice finished with 14 yards on six carries. Ryan Nordin had three carries for 14 yards and one catch for 11 yards.