Scottie Williams, Joe Furco key fast start by Elmhurst
BY JOHN GROCHOWSKI For Sun-Times Media September 19, 2012 10:54PM
Hard-working Scottie Williams broke the Elmhurst record for career rushing yards. | Elmhurst
Updated: October 21, 2012 2:59PM
With 18 returning starters on a senior-laden roster, a 3-0 nonconference start that includes two shutouts, and with Scottie Williams having just become the school’s all-time leading rusher, everything seems to going Elmhurst’s way as it seeks to challenge the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin’s elite.
There’s been just one piece of timing that was a little off.
“My quarterback [Joe Furco] is within 40 yards of becoming our all-time leading passer here,” said coach Tim Lester, who has high hopes after a 6-4 2011 season. “It would have been great if it happened in the same game.”
Williams, a three-time all-CCIW choice and a Capital One Academic All-American from Downers Grove South, claimed his place in the record book at home Saturday when he ran for 191 yards and a touchdown in a 33-0 victory over the University of Chicago. That boosted him to 3,736 career yards, 175 more than previous Bluejays leader Eric Luna.
“He’s extremely hard working, one of the hardest working young men I’ve ever coached,” Lester said. “Probably the hardest working young man I’ve ever coached.
“Two weeks ago he had 230 yards [in a 31-13 victory over Trine] and I called him and asked if he watched the film online. And he said yeah, he watched. And I said, ‘What did you think? What did you do right and what did you do wrong?’ And he says, ‘Coach, what didn’t I do wrong.’ And this is a guy who just ran for 230 yards.”
Furco, who like his coach is a former Wheaton Warrenville South quarterback star, is at 6,379 career passing yards. He’ll will have to wait out a bye before taking aim on Chris Kudyba’s mark of 6,428. The Bluejays’ next game is Sept. 29 at North Central, the six-time defending CCIW champion.
“I know Joe Furco is ready to go,” Lester said. “North Central is a great program, and our kids are excited about it. So it’ll be a really spirited bye week.”
Weekend honors
North Central linebacker Joey Michals (11 tackles, seven solos, two for loss) was named CCIW player of the week on defense and kicker Nick Dace (three field goals, four extra points, 53-yard field goal) was the selection on special teams after the No. 12 Cardinals (2-1) whipped Wisconsin-Stout 37-10.
St. Xavier linebacker Zach Dolph (14 tackles, eight solo, five for loss, three sacks) won NAIA national player of the week honors on defense after the top-ranked Cougars (3-0) routed Langston 37-7.
Also in NAIA play, St. Francis quarterback E.J. White (25-for-37, 221 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions) was MSFA Midwest offensive player of the week for the second time this season. The No. 18 Saints (2-2, 1-0) opened conference play with a 19-16 double-overtime squeaker over Olivet Nazarene.
