Sophomore QB delivers for J’burg

Johnsburg’s C.J. Fiedorowicz returns an interception Friday in the third quarter of the Skyhawks’ 24-21 victory against Prairie Ridge in Crystal Lake. (John Konstantaras – For the Northwest Herald)

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CRYSTAL LAKE – Johnsburg sophomore quarterback Jon Torgerson could not have been thrown into a much tougher situation.

Torgerson had one week of practice with the varsity before making his first start, which came against Prairie Ridge in a game the Skyhawks desperately needed to win for their playoff chances.

Filling in for injured starter George Bielis, Torgerson passed the test by helping Johnsburg past the Wolves, 24-21, on Friday in their Fox Valley Conference Fox Division game.

“Jon Torgerson came in and managed a good game for us,” Skyhawks coach Barry Creviston said. “He showed a lot of poise and did everything we asked of him.”

Torgerson completed 11 of 21 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. The rookie knew where to look as he hooked up with wide receiver C.J. Fiedorowicz seven times for 93 yards and one touchdown. Fiedorowicz is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound senior and one of the top-rated tight end prospects in the nation.

The victory puts Johnsburg (5-3 overall, 3-2 FVC Fox) one win away from qualifying for the Class 4A playoffs. Johnsburg finishes at Grayslake North (3-5, 1-4) next week.

“I felt really good coming into the game,” said Torgerson, who is 5-foot-8, 160 pounds. “I was excited for the opportunity to play with these guys. I am having a good time.”

Fiedorowicz came up even bigger on defense for the Skyhawks as he intercepted three passes, the most crucial of which came with 4:04 remaining in the game. Fiedorowicz intercepted Wolves quarterback Jon Williams in the end zone to snuff that drive.

“This was a huge game for us,” Fiedorowicz said. “We just made big plays when we had to.”

Prairie Ridge (5-3, 3-2) had won three consecutive games and should make the playoffs. The Wolves took a 7-0 lead on their second drive of the game on Williams’ 26-yard scoring pass to Dan Wolf.

Johnsburg took control in the second quarter, scoring 17 points. Torgerson hit David Virgo with a scoring pass, running back Justin Peete scored on a 22-yard run and kicker Thomas Kinney nailed a 36-yard field goal.

“We didn’t play with intensity in the first half,” Wolves coach Chris Schremp said. “We came out in the second half and played much better, especially in the fourth quarter.”

The third quarter opened with the Skyhawks driving 72 yards in eight plays, capped by Torgerson’s 26-yard touchdown pass to Fiedorowicz for a 24-7 lead.

The Wolves then put their running game together and Justin Henderson ended a drive with a one-yard touchdown run. After holding Johnsburg on a three-and-out, the Wolves drove 66 yards to score again with Conner Greenwald’s one-yard run.

Prairie Ridge’s Brad Simms intercepted a Torgerson pass to give the Wolves a shot on the Skyhawks’ 30, but Fiedorowicz ended that threat with his end-zone interception.

“C.J. made the plays against us tonight,” Schremp said. “Tonight he showed why he can go to Illinois or Iowa or wherever he wants to go.”

Fiedorowicz committed to Illinois, but plans to visit Iowa sometime within the next month. ␇
“We were in a dogfight tonight,” Creviston said. “This is a very good team we played and they fought us all the way to the end.”

Creviston said Bielis’ sore throwing elbow, which he bumped on a helmet last week, makes him day-to-day. The Skyhawks know they have someone on whom they can rely with Torgerson.