PENINSULA: Woodridge honored its graduating players Friday night as part of a senior night celebration, but the underclassmen — particularly sophomore Kyle Kelleher — put on the show in a 42-7 win over Springfield.
In their final game of the regular season, the Bulldogs’ quick start helped them run past the Spartans (5-5). Kelleher, a receiver and safety, was a big part of that with two touchdowns — one on offense and another on an interception return — in the second quarter.
The Bulldogs (10-0) finished undefeated for the second consecutive season despite graduating 18 seniors, six of them starters, off last year’s team.
“These kids set out that goal early on in the summer. They said it, and they meant it,” Bulldogs coach Jeff Decker said. “They treated every opponent like it was state regional finals.”
The Bulldogs scored on their first play from scrimmage when junior quarterback Mason Lydic connected with senior receiver Jacob Margroff for a 65-yard touchdown pass. After Woodridge forced a Spartans punt on the ensuing possession, junior King Alcardon Sanders capped a quick drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0.
The Spartans blew a chance to cut that deficit when they missed a field goal after a drive featuring five first downs and a first-and-goal situation. That’s when Kelleher got started.
First, he caught a 33-yard pass from Lydic to put the Bulldogs 8 yards from the Springfield end zone. Then, after senior tailback King Alfred Sanders fumbled a handoff, Kelleher scooped up the ball and plunged into the end zone from 2 yards out.
Kelleher then intercepted a pass from Springfield junior quarterback Paul Stubbs and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. King Alfred Sanders scored a 1-yard touchdown later in the half to give the Bulldogs a 35-0 lead, and officials instituted a running clock to open the second half.
“He’s just gotten better and better every single week playing that safety position, reacting to what he sees. He’s just out there making huge plays for us,” Decker said of Kelleher. “He probably played his best game tonight, which is awesome to see.”
In the third quarter, Lydic connected with Margroff for a 54-yard touchdown reception to make it 42-0. Lydic finished with 232 passing yards and the two scores.
The Spartans averted the shutout with 1:02 left to play, when senior Trever Scott scored on a 4-yard run.
Woodridge didn’t seem to mind — right before the extra-point attempt, the Bulldogs poured Gatorade on Decker to celebrate their perfect regular season.
“It’s really just a testament to the kids we have,” Decker said. “The kids we have here were the core group of kids in last year’s team. They just had bigger expectations for themselves for the year even though they had such a great year last year.”
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