Football: Stewart's 4 TDs Spark Panther Burst in Win Over Wolves

Breaking It Down: When Oswego East jumped to a 15-7 lead over Oswego in the battle for neighborhood bragging rights, Panthers running back Mickeel Stewart said to himself, “OK, we’ve got to score some points. And score in bunches.”

Stewart, a 6 foot, 205-pound senior, took it upon himself to make sure that happened. He scored four touchdowns during a 43-0 spurt as Oswego pulled away for a 50-29 victory on Friday night before a standing-room-only crowd at Oswego East. The Panthers (4-1, 3-0) seized momentum in the Southwest Prairie Conference matchup when Justin Best recovered a muffed punt.

Stewart scored on a 2-yard run. Brett Wainwright’s pass to Bryce Holm was good for the two-point conversion and the score was tied 15-15. Stewart put the Panthers ahead for good on a 43-yard screen pass from Wainwright minutes later.

Patch’s MVP: Mickeel Stewart, Oswego. He rushed for 144 yards on 17 carries. He caught one pass for 43 yards. And he scored four touchdowns.

Oswego Stat Pack: Mickeel Stewart (17 carries, 144 yards rushing; 1 catch, 43 yards receiving; 4 touchdowns), Brett Wainwright (4-of-9 passing, 128 yards, 1 TD; 4 carries, 14 yards rushing, 1 TD), Tyler Walsh (3-yard TD run; 49-yard punt return for a TD), Jack Kwiatkowski (2 catches, 67 yards), Bryce Holm (8 carries, 55 yards, 1 TD).

Oswego East Stat Pack: Chris Cooper (18 carries, 69 yards; 5 catches, 167 yards; 4 TDs), Sean Kennedy (14-for-31 passing, 272 yards, 2 TDs), Scooter Smith (2 catches, 30 yards), Chase Skenandore (5 catches, 61 yards).

Quotable I: “You know, we talk about the emotions of the game and trying to keep it even-keel,” Oswego East coach Tyson LeBlanc said. “And, in a rivalry game, it’s tough to do that. When we jumped out, I think we got a little bit too over-emotional. One thing I will say about our kids—we fought to the end. I’m not a big believer in moral victories, but it’s something that is going to carry us through the rest of the season.”

Quotable II: “Basically, we’ve just got to score, and we’ve got to score in bunches,” Oswego’s Mickeel Stewart said of the Panthers’ mindset after they trailed 15-7. “And I think we did that. Great blocking by our ‘O’ line and our receivers. Everything went well from there. We grew up with the playters on their team. They want to win. We want to win. So, it's basically just competition and who wants to win the most.”

Quotable III: “Nothing that No. 7 does amazes me anymore,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney said of Mickeel Stewart. “I constantly tell our guys every week you do something—or someone does something—that I never thought possible. I’m done thinking that of No. 7. He’s convinced me he can do it.”

Team Records: Oswego is 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the Southwest Prairie Conference. Oswego East is 3-2 and 1-2.

What’s Next: Both teams play at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28. Plainfield Central is at Oswego East. Oswego is at Plainfield East.

Scores of Interest: Minooka 29, Plainfield East 6; Plainfield North 28, Plainfield Central 7. For more scores, go to IHSA ScoreZone.