by Roy Taylor, Sun Correspondent

Bolingbrook and Plainfield South didn’t concern themselves with a passing game in their nonconference meeting Sept. 5. Neither team threw a pass, but the difference was the Raiders didn’t need to because they racked up 277 yards on the ground and capitalized on several Plainfield South turnovers for a 44-6 road victory.

Raiders coach John Ivlow utilized linebacker/running back Kyle Williams and quarterback Javon Stewart on bootlegs and sweeps during Bolingbrook’s first three scoring drives, then deployed running back Nick Petty on a series of inside runs to score a fourth touchdown.

“Everything worked tonight,” Ivlow said. “The kids practiced hard, and with that practice we executed as we should have. The kids are starting to believe.”

Bolingbrook also returned two Plainfield South fumbles for touchdowns, and scored on a 67-yard punt return by Dale Martin to open a 44-0 halftime lead on the Cougars.

After winning the opening coin toss, Bolingbrook drove 58 yards on seven plays for a touchdown. The drive was capped by a 14-yard touchdown run by Williams. Two plays later, the Raiders’ Jondae’ King recovered the first Plainfield South fumble and returned it 30 yards for a score.

On the first play after the Cougars got the ball back, they fumbled again. Five plays later, Bolingbrook scored on a 21-yard sweep by sophomore running back Hershal Davison.

Trailing 19-0 in the first quarter, Plainfield South was forced to punt after a strong defensive series featuring a punishing stuff by Williams, regarded by many as one of the top collegiate prospects in the state. Bolingbrook’s Martin took the punt at his own 32 and won a footrace up the left sideline to score on the 67-yard return.

Following that score, the Cougars ran two plays before Raiders linebacker Zach Spears returned Plainfield South’s third fumble 32 yards for another six points. After a missed conversion, Bolingbrook led 32-0.

Plainfield South converted a first down and looked to be driving at the end of the first quarter, but quarterback Steven Petrusich was sacked on consecutive plays at the beginning of the second period. The second sack came on fourth and 10, resulting in the Cougars turning the ball over on downs.

Bolingbrook then took over on their 49 and marched 51 yards on six plays, ending with an 11-yard touchdown sweep by Williams. After the Raiders failed on their third conversion of the night, the score was 32-0 with 7:32 remaining in the half.

After Williams’ second touchdown of the evening, Plainfield South was forced to punt again. With just under five minutes remaining in the half, Bolingbrook inserted Nick Petty at running back for Williams. Petty followed Williams’ strong performance by gaining 57 yards on seven carries.

The drive featured a succession of three quick inside runs for 38 yards, which deviated from Bolingbrook’s previous success with their outside attack. Petty scored on a 4-yard toss to make it 44-0 with nine seconds left in the half.

To open the second half, Plainfield South was forced to punt after Bolingbrook’s third sack. On the next series, the Cougars recovered a Raiders fumble and mounted their most successful drive of the game. After taking over at their own 38, Plainfield South gained 62 yards on 16 plays, a drive that consumed almost a quarter of action. The drive ended with the Cougars’ only score of the night, a 2-yard touchdown run by senior running back Marcus Norment.

Norment led all Plainfield South rushers with 37 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, while Williams paced the Raiders with an 11-carry, 93-yard performance. He also scored two touchdowns.

Despite the large margin of defeat, Plainfield South coach Barry Reade kept his squad motivated throughout the game, as evidenced by their time-consuming second-half scoring drive.

“I told them to go our there and play 48 minutes,” Reade said. “But we found what we need to work on.”

Plainfield South hosts 2-0 Geneva on Friday, while undefeated Bolingbrook visits conference rival Romeoville.