IHSA Playoffs: Six players top 140 yards in second round
A group of Lake County high school athletes produced exceptional individual statistics during Saturday's and Friday's second-round games.
By Rebecca Svoboda ·
Nino Capuano rushed for 271 yards in a 35-21 victory over Maine South on Saturday, marking the highest single-game rushing total among Lake County players in the second round of the 2026 IHSA playoffs. The sophomore running back also scored three touchdowns for St. Ignatius, which defeated the longtime rival in a signature playoff win.
Several other backs and wide receivers posted impressive numbers on the same day. Jakobe Baldwin of IC Catholic Prep carried the ball 17 times for 213 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-7 win over Johnsburg. His season totals now stand at 1,509 yards and 17 scores. Peter Panagiotopoulos of Niles Notre Dame hauled in 10 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns as his team beat Libertyville 48-29. The victory sent Notre Dame to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2022.
Broden Mackert of Providence returned from a calf injury to run for 165 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-34 win over Morgan Park. Tivias Caldwell Jr. of St. Francis rushed for three touchdowns in a 42-14 victory over Woodstock, bringing his season rushing touchdown count to 11. Damacio Ortegon of Montini recorded six catches for 116 yards in a 41-7 loss to Morris, finishing his career as the team's leading receiver with 1,059 yards and 11 touchdowns on 51 receptions.
Quarterbacks also drove their teams to decisive results. Brady Cloherty of Mount Carmel completed 18 of 19 passes for six touchdowns and added a rushing score in a 56-0 shutout of Barrington. His six touchdown passes extended his season total to 46, setting a new single-season record for the Caravan. Myles Hill of Fenwick threw four touchdown passes for 340 yards in a 38-13 road win over Hononegah. Three of those scores went to Jake Thies, while Jimmy Watts caught the fourth.
Defensive players also influenced the outcome of several games. Rocco Lopez of Nazareth recovered two fumbles and recorded a sack in a 49-6 blowout of Simeon. The Nazareth defense held Simeon to 60 yards in the first half and just 12 rushing yards for the entire game. Timmy Swanson of St. Rita had a multi-faceted performance in a 17-7 loss to Downers Grove North on Friday, recovering a fumble, making an interception, blocking a kick, and posting two tackles.
Brother Rice defeated Batavia 49-6, with running back Decatur Washington leading the ground game with 140 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Jameson Davis also contributed to the offensive surge. These performances advance multiple Lake County teams to the quarterfinals, including St. Ignatius, St. Francis, Providence, Niles Notre Dame, and Mount Carmel.
