Etched in history: Chargers fight way back to postseason play with fifth straight victory

HAMILTON, Ill. — Friday was a light day in weight training class for Illini West senior wide receiver and defensive back Tre Niederman, but his thoughts weighed heavily on him.

As Niederman walked the track at Fuzz Berges Field during that class — Illini West football assistant coach Michael Lafferty, who teaches the class, was kind to the football players on game day — he couldn’t help but ponder what it would be like to see the 2024 team added to the list of the school’s playoff participants.

“They have a banner outside the football field and it has all the years we’ve made the playoffs,” Niederman said. “I just wanted to come in tonight and solidify our name on that.”

Niederman and the 2024 Chargers will get to etch their name onto that banner. Illini West pulled away from West Hancock 46-12 in Friday’s Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Large contest at Jim Repplinger Athletic Field and locked up a spot in Class 2A playoffs for the first time since 2018.

“It’s what this school, the town’s been waiting for, everyone’s been waiting for, to finally turn things around and be back in the playoffs,” Niederman said. “It’s a new road ahead.”

The Chargers have come bitterly close to going dancing three seasons in a row. In each of those seasons, Illini West entered Week 9 with a chance to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win, and they lost each time.

Now they don’t have to fight for their lives next week, much to the delight of Chargers coach Jacob Calvin.

“It’s great to get it done earlier,” Calvin said.

This playoff berth is made even sweeter by how the Chargers ignited after an 0-3 start. Friday’s win gave Illini West five straight victories.

“We knew if we just stuck it out we’d get out of that rut, and we did,” Calvin said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the guys. A lot of teams would have just folded and gave up. They didn’t. They kept coming out and working hard and now they’re in this spot.”

Niederman hauled in the touchdown that provided Friday night’s spark. With the Chargers leading 16-12 with 28 seconds left in the first half and facing a third and 10 at the West Hancock 24-yard line, junior quarterback Ethan Carlisle eluded the Titans’ rush and rolled to his left as Niederman ran — admittedly — the wrong route.

“I was supposed to fake the slant and turn to the corner,” Niederman said. “He was supposed to throw it over my shoulder, and I turned inside.”

Nevertheless, Carlisle dropped a dime to Niederman, who was tightly covered by Titans defensive back Kadeeyn Greer, 3 yards into the end zone. Niederman tumbled onto his back and rolled over as he secured the ball and the touchdown that extended the Chargers’ lead to 10. Isaiah Knotts ran in the two-point conversion to give Illini West a 12-point halftime cushion.

“Ethan couldn’t have put it any more on the money,” Niederman said. “I just made the best play I could on the ball. I know my catching abilities, and the way he’s able to place the ball, I was able to make a play on it.”

The throws Carlisle can make never cease to amaze Calvin. 

“Every game he has a pass or two where you’re like, ‘Not many kids in this area could make that throw,’” Calvin said.

Even Titans coach Coy Dorothy, a former quarterback, couldn’t help but marvel at Carlisle’s touchdown toss.

“That was one of the best throws I’ve seen, especially at the high school level, and the wide receiver made a great play on it,” Dorothy said.

The Chargers outscored the Titans 22-0 in the second half, forced two turnovers and only allowed West Hancock to reach as far as the Illini West 46-yard line.

“I think we have one of the best defenses in Illinois,” Niederman said. “The first three weeks were kind of shaky, but we played some of the best teams in Illinois. I think over the weeks, our defense has shown to be the best thing we have on this team.”

Senior defensive back Nick Johnson picked off Bryce Varner on a deflected pass with 4:16 left in the fourth quarter, the final of Illini West’s three takeaways. Johnson knew the challenge the Chargers’ defense was up against in facing West Hancock. Before Friday, the Titans (1-7, 1-6 Lincoln Trail-Prairieland Large) were averaging 32.3 points per game and had scored fewer than 20 points once — on Sept. 27 against Stark County, which is 7-1 and has allowed more than 20 points only twice.

“They’ve been putting up numbers all season,” Johnson said. “We just tried to play them like we are in Week 9 playing for a playoff spot.”

Even though the Titans have just the lone win against Lewistown on Oct. 4, Dorothy can sense a breakthrough coming sooner than later.

“We’re right there,” Dorothy said. “A couple years ago, we were quarters away, games away. Now I truly feel like we’re plays away. If we capitalize on a 50-50 play, we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot with penalties and don’t turn the ball over and force more turnovers, I think we’re right there.”

The Chargers (5-3, 4-3) have little time to rest on their laurels. They will play a neutral site game on Thursday against Tuscola at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin.

“I’m happy for the kids, but now we’ve got to get back to work,” Calvin said.

Carlisle won’t be doing much celebrating between now and then.

“I’m probably not going to celebrate,” Carlisle said. “Just show up next week ready for Tuscola. We’re not satisfied with 5-4. We want 6-3.”

Johnson, who rushed for 259 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries, doesn’t plan on getting too crazy either.

“Just feel good about the whole situation, look forward to next week and see how Tuscola does,” Johnson said.

Some video games are on the docket for Niederman.

“I’m going to go home and play some Rocket League or Rainbow Six Siege,” Niederman said. “I’m top rank in Rocket League right now.”

Some much needed sleep will follow, and Niederman can rest easier this weekend.

“It’s going to be the best sleep I can get tonight,” Niederman said.

The walks around the track will be a little more relaxing, too.

“It’s going to be nice walking out there later in the year and seeing 2024 playoffs on (the banner),” Niederman said. “I’m excited to see that and show that we ended the drought.”