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DARIEN – Jack Jessen already had experience under the spotlight as a state-qualifying wrestler.
So the Willowbrook sophomore wasn’t fazed when he was called upon in a key spot for the football team.
“I just feel good running the ball and I just thought, ‘Hey, put the team on my shoulders and get the first down,’” Jessen said.
Jessen, who won regional and sectional wrestling titles last winter, got the nod on six straight run plays on a drive that sealed the Warriors’ 27-13 win against Hinsdale South on Sept. 19.
Those six carries accounted for 24 yards before Willowbrook (2-2 overall, 1-1 West Suburban Gold) converted twice on fourth down, including Billy Degnan’s 32-yard touchdown connection with Mark Molitor with 2:04 remaining to seal the game.
Jessen also powered his way into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run late in the first half that made it a 6-6 game at intermission.
The win not only vaulted the Warriors into the thick of the WSG race – six of the seven teams have one win in conference and four have 1-1 records – it also made up for a narrow loss against rival Addison Trail the week before.
“We knew we would get what we deserved and we could come out on top,” Jessen said. “This says we can bounce back from anything and we won’t back down. We’re united, we’re brothers.”
After making it to the 170-pound state championship match as a freshman Jessen appears to have a bright future as a wrestler, but football rivals wrestling for enjoyment.
“They both help each other out. Football helps wrestling and wrestling helps football out,” Jessen said. “They’re two amazing sports that I’m so lucky to play.”
Hinsdale South (2-2, 1-1) was tabbed by many as the team to beat in the Gold, but the Warriors weren’t surprised with the way they performed against the Hornets.
Degnan passed for 236 yards (175 in the second half) with Jonathan Kelso hauling in nine passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. After Jessen’s six runs late in the game, Kelso kept the drive alive with a fourth-down catch.
Elijah Rochel and Kevon Dobbins both recorded sacks for the Warriors, who mostly kept South’s offense in check. Outside of their two scoring drives, the Hornets had just three first downs.
“This is not an upset to us, this is our expectation,” Willowbrook coach Nick Hildreth said. “We walk into each game thinking if we do our jobs and play with energy, we can beat anybody.”
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Week 5 matchup
Who: York at Willowbrook
When: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25
Where: 1250 S. Ardmore Ave., Villa Park
Records: York 1-3, Willowbrook 2-2
Outlook: The neighboring schools enter this midseason encounter going in opposite directions. Willowbrook beat Hinsdale South 27-13 in a season-altering road win. The Dukes are coming off their most lopsided loss of the season and have been on the receiving end of blowouts the past two games. York won last year's meeting 42-7.