New Trier's Throy Nightingale runs for 5 TDs, 309 yards in emotional state quarterfinal win against Huntley

New Trier’s football team learned that classmate Brock Beeler had died as they took the field to practice on Wednesday.

“It is hard watching 17- and 18-year-olds find that news out,” Trevians coach Brian Doll said. “We just needed to be there for them. Football is football, but life is life. We needed to do something for our kids that day and support them. I canceled practice right when I found out. It was a tough decision but the right decision.”

“It was the right move,” New Trier senior Harry Resis said. “A lot of our captains were really close with Brock, and we needed some time to reset and think about what happened. And just grieve together.”

Beeler played football his sophomore year, and his jersey hung on the sideline on Friday night in Huntley as the Trevians beat the Red Raiders 42-28 in a Class 8A quarterfinal.

“It just means a lot that we can get a win in his honor and bring everyone together and make the community feel a little better in a time of sadness and loss,” Resis said.

Resis, a tight end, and linemen Nicholas Danielsen and Sean Feeney were part of a New Trier rushing attack that overwhelmed undefeated Huntley (11-1).

Senior running back Throy Nightingale Jr. carried the load, rushing 39 times. He finished with a career-high 309 yards and scored five touchdowns.

“It’s a great feeling getting support [from the line],” Nightingale said. “It was amazing getting support from them. They said to keep going, and I kept going.”

Nightingale transferred to New Trier from Notre Dame this year, but still knew Beeler.

“It was definitely tough,” Nightingale said. “[Beeler] would be here right now, and I know he would want us to keep going and to keep pushing. So we did that for him tonight.”

The Trevians (11-1) led 21-0 in the second quarter after Nightingale’s second TD run.

Huntley pulled within 21-14 early in the second half on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Malik Carter to Matthew Schroeder. But that was as close as it would get.

“[New Trier] took it to us today in all three phases, really,” Red Raiders coach Mike Naymola said. “They were a lot more physical than us. I was proud of what these guys were able to do. We were resilient and fought back, and right when we got ourselves back in the game they made another play.”

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun Times

New Trier quarterback Jackie Ryder, a Purdue recruit, finished 9-for-17 passing with one touchdown and two interceptions. He connected with Benjamin Sullivan for a 43-yard touchdown on the Trevians’ first drive.

“It is kind of surreal right now, being able to go to the semifinals,” Doll said. “First time since 1982. But credit to these guys. They have had an amazing season. It’s been a hard week for our program. They fought through a lot of adversity and beat a good football team, so I’m proud of them.”

Huntley set a school record for wins and slowly climbed the Super 25 throughout the season.

Junior quarterback Malik Carter was 21 of 28 passing for 284 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Chase Hojnacki, also a junior, had 22 carries for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

“This doesn’t take away from what we were able to accomplish,” Naymola said. “I am super proud of these guys. Every football season ends in tears. Either tears of joy or tears of sadness. I feel fortunate to have had another three weeks with these guys.”