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Sports

Class 5A Football: Tinley Park Advances with Comeback Win Over Grayslake

Tinley Park 35, Grayslake 22: The Titans used two fourth-quarter touchdown runs from quarterback Kyle Sheridan to advance in the Class 5A playoffs on Saturday night.

Breaking It Down: After holding the lead for the first 30 minutes, Tinley Park suddenly trailed in the third quarter of a 35-22 victory over Grayslake Central in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Saturday night. The Titans trailed 22-21 after a 5-yard touchdown run from Grayslake running back Joel Valdivia.

But Tinley Park answered on its next possession with a drive culminating in a 1-yard score from quarterback Kyle Sheridan. Up 27-22, the Titans elected to go for two, and Sheridan responded by hitting Eldridge Anderson in the back of the end zone for a 29-22 lead.

The Titans defense put its nose to the grindstone and forced punts on the next three Grayslake possessions. Sheridan added another 1-yard touchdown run for a 35-22 lead with 51 seconds to go, and defensive back Frank Redding iced the game with an interception with 30 seconds left.

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Patch’s MVP: Titans quarterback Kyle Sheridan went 6-for-11 for 72 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Sheridan ran for two more scores in the fourth quarter, finishing with 19 yards on six carries.

Tinley Park Stat Pack: Running back Gregory Wallace (23 carries, 185 yards and a touchdown) helped close the game for the Titans, rushing nine times on their final drive to set up a Sheridan touchdown. Wide receiver Eldridge Anderson caught a touchdown pass in the first quarter and later added a two-point conversion grab in the back of the end zone. Tracey Brandy had three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.

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Grayslake Stat Pack: Rams running back Joel Valdivia (141 yards, 19 carries, 2 touchdowns) broke tackles to move the chains. Quarterback Ray Beckman went 7-for-19 for 114 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Quotable I: Tinley Park coach Nick Johnston on the Titan defense buckling down in the fourth quarter: “Once our offense came back for the lead, our defense really seemed to settle in. Things aren’t going to go perfect for us, but you need to grab hold of your teammates and buckle down.”

Quotable II: Tinley Park running back Gregory Wallace on his nine carries on the final drive: “The coaches gave me a chance to do it, and I made the most of it.”

Team Records: Tinley Park improves to 8-2.  Grayslake finishes 7-3.

What’s Next: The Titans will go on the road to play undefeated Woodstock Marian in Round 2 of the Class 5A playoffs. Woodstock Marian whipped Chicago Robeson 42-20.

Scores of Interest: Richards 28, Hyde Park 14; Evergreen Park 10, Marshall 6. For more scores, visit IHSA ScoreZone.

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