Player Spotlights: Downers Grove North vs. Downers Grove South
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Mack O’Halloran Mack O’Halloran 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE Downers Grove South | 2023 State IL HEIGHT 6'4" POS DL CLASS 2023 Mack O’Halloran Mack O’Halloran 6'4" | 225 lbs | TE Downers Grove South | 2023 State IL…
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Continue ReadingTo write about this game and not mention Mack O’Halloran Mack O’Halloran 6’4″ | 225 lbs | TE Downers Grove South | 2023 State IL of Downers Grove South would be an abysmal miss on my behalf. Mack was everywhere on the defensive side of the ball, causing havoc for the Trojan offense of Downers Grove North, and was a constant in the Trojan backfield. To run to Mack’s side on Friday night was to take a gamble on a tackle for loss for the Trojan offense. Not only was Mack a mainstay for the Mustang defense all night, causing disruptions, but he was a fixture on the offensive side of the ball as an excellent assist for the Mustang quarterback, Ryan Dawson Ryan Dawson 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Downers Grove South | 2023 State IL . It would be easier for me to count the plays that Mack wasn’t on the field for the entire game than for me to count the plays he was on. Mack was able to reel in a 64-yard pitch and catch for the Mustang offense as they were starting to get their rhythm together in the second half, and then follow that up on defense with a critical tackle for loss. Mack carries the team on his back, and this trait was on display all game. Mack is a profound athlete who plays his heart out for his team, and wherever he lands at the next level will surely be happy to have him. I look forward to watching where Mack ends up.
QB1 for the Mustangs, Ryan Dawson Ryan Dawson 6’4″ | 210 lbs | QB Downers Grove South | 2023 State IL , played his heart out and put up a good stat line for his team going 15 of 17 throughout the night with 177 yards to go along with his completions. Ryan didn’t have much of a pocket to throw from all night with the Trojan defensive front coming after him, but he did well escaping and made the best of what he had in front of him. Following a second-half injury that appeared might sideline him for the night, Ryan made a comeback to fight for his team. Although the Mustangs came up short in the end, it can be said that Ryan left it all out on the field Friday night.
Highlights
Ben Bielawski
Ben Bielawski
The Trojan defensive line caused headaches all night for the Mustang offense, and Ben Bielawski was an anchoring piece to the madness for the Trojan defensive line. The senior lineman played with immense intensity and did not take plays off all night. Ben showed he was a versatile defensive lineman who is good with his hands, knocking down the offensive lineman’s arms all night and ripping underneath. Ben uses his hands through contact better than many of his peers that I have seen and is keen to get loose from the offensive lineman in more ways than a bull rush. Ben was explosive off the ball and just all-around tough for the Downers Grove South offensive lineman to handle all night.
Alex Kartsounes
Alex Kartsounes
The other half to the Mustang headaches all night on the defensive front was a senior defensive lineman for the Trojans, Alex Kartsounes. Alex was a monster up front and frequently required two opposing offensive linemen to block him, and the likelihood of being blocked by two offensive linemen was slim to none. Alex could play big and strong up front but then get small and narrow when he was approached with a double team. Alex was also over the field, and his engine never quit, as he would track plays down from either side of the field and not stop until the referee blew the whistle. Alex is just an all-around athlete, who seems hungry to compete, a trait that will serve him well at the next level.