New Trier keeps the party rolling, beats Homewood-Flossmoor to advance to the 8A quarters

There’s a unique energy on the New Trier football sideline this season. The Trevians are having fun. That’s probably what high school football should be about, but for many high-level programs—especially this late in the playoffs—every moment feels like it carries life-or-death stakes, and the pressure can be tremendous.

“That is not what it is like here,” Trevians linebacker Declan O’Meara said. “If you make a mistake, someone has your back, and if you make a good play, everyone goes crazy. We are confident and prepared, and we trust each other. When you aren’t worried about letting people down and don’t have that pressure, it makes football a very fun sport.”

There’s been a lot of winning with that fun this season. And it continued on Friday, as the Trevians knocked off Homewood-Flossmoor 26-23 in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs. This is the first time New Trier has advanced to the state quarterfinals since 2014.

“It is just this group,” New Trier coach Brian Doll said. “They have kind of enjoyed it from freshman year on. The seniors are really tight and great leaders. They are having a lot of fun. We all are now. We have had a real culture change the last two years, led by those guys. We came to work every day this week, and we were having a blast.”

Purdue recruit Jackie Ryder, a 6-5 senior, is the special talent who has elevated the Trevians’ program. He was 13 of 31 passing for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

New Trier’s final drive took five minutes off the clock to secure the win.

“We knew we had the talent, but not many people thought this,” Ryder said. “It is only the sixth time the school has gone to the quarterfinals. It is an awesome feeling. I am so happy I get to keep playing football with these guys. It is the most special group of individuals I’ve been around.”

Ryder also had seven carries for 54 yards. Most of the runs were key plays that kept drives alive.

“[Ryder] ran a lot more than usual,” Doll said. “I’ve been pretty protective of him. But tonight he had to run the ball, and he took some big shots. He did a good job, and I’m proud of him.”

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

New Trier (10-1) led 12-8 at halftime, but Homewood-Flossmoor (8-3) scored on the opening drive of the second half and led 15-12.

The Trevians took the lead for good on a trick play. Ryder threw a screen pass to running back Throy Nightingale Jr., who threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to John Baxter.

“Throy has an arm,” Ryder said. “He used to play quarterback in middle school. That was a huge play.”

Nightingale had 21 carries for 116 yards and one touchdown. Paul Liang caught five passes for 77 yards and two TDs.

Homewood-Flossmoor’s best player, Wisconsin recruit David Hill, limped off the field after the first play and didn’t return. Losing the senior defensive lineman hurt.

“He’s a difference-maker,” Ryder said. “That definitely helped us win. We were able to run the ball more effectively for sure. He’s a great player, and I hope he gets better.”

Homewood-Flossmoor quarterback Karter Nicholson, a junior, was 22-for-35 for 209 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Sophomore running back Theo Williams had 18 carries for 124 yards.

New Trier will travel to Huntley, a 42-0 winner against Lane, for the quarterfinals next weekend.

“It is honestly special what we achieved tonight,” Ryder said. “It is huge for this program, huge for the school. I couldn’t be happier to be the leader at quarterback. This is an amazing feeling.”