Feature photo caption: Kian Davis comes away with a fourth-quarter interception and returns it deep into Nokomis territory. Davis’s takeaway set up the Warriors’ final touchdown of the game, helping seal the 48-14 victory. —photo by Terri Cox

NOKOMIS, Ill. – Despite being the higher seed, the Casey-Westfield Warriors hit the road for the Sweet 16 round of the IHSA 1A football playoffs on Saturday and proved they were more than up to the task. The Purple and Gold dominated their hosts, securing a 48-14 victory over Nokomis to advance to the state quarterfinals for the 18th time in program history and the second consecutive season.

The win sets up a monumental Elite 8 showdown at home, where the Warriors (9-2) will host the undefeated, top-seeded Calhoun Warriors on Saturday at Sinclair-Vidoni Field, with kickoff slated for 2 p.m.

Casey-Westfield received the opening kickoff and wasted no time putting points on the board. The Warriors methodically moved downfield, converting a pair of first downs and capitalizing on a Nokomis penalty before Kellen Sullivan broke free around the near side for a 23-yard touchdown run. Wyatt Erickson’s extra point was good, giving the Warriors an early 7-0 advantage.

Following an Erickson touchback on the kickoff, Nokomis started its first drive on its own 20-yard line. The Redskins looked to pound the ball up the middle, successfully converting five first downs and driving deep into Casey-Westfield territory. But at the eight-yard line, the Warrior defense stiffened. A holding penalty pushed the Redskins back, and a sack by Niah Honselman created a daunting third-and-28. On the next play, Jett Self read the screen perfectly, tackling the receiver for a two-yard loss and forcing a fourth-and-30 punt.

After a Warrior drive stalled, the Redskins pieced together a scoring drive of their own, punching it in from five yards out to knot the score at 7-7.

The tie was short-lived. Jack Julius provided excellent field position with a 23-yard kick return, and on the ensuing possession, quarterback Nolan Clement connected with Sullivan on a 57-yard touchdown strike down the middle of the field. Erickson’s kick put the Warriors back on top, 14-7.

Nokomis again moved the ball into Warrior territory and looked poised to score, but with just 37 seconds left in the half, Clement read the quarterback’s eyes perfectly, jumping a route for a critical interception. On the very next play, Clement aired it out, hitting Julius in stride down the near sideline for a stunning 87-yard scoring completion. The point after was blocked, but the Warriors carried a commanding 20-7 lead into the intermission.

The Redskins received the ball to open the second half, but the Warrior defense forced a quick three-and-out. The Casey-Westfield offense took over at its own 25-yard line and marched down the field. A 37-yard completion to Julius set up first-and-goal, and though it took all four downs, Luke Karras bullied his way across the goal line from four yards out. The two-point conversion failed, but the Warriors expanded their lead to 26-7 at the end of the third quarter.

In the final frame, Nokomis added its last score of the season on a three-yard run. From there, it was all Casey-Westfield. The Warriors responded with three touchdowns in the final eight minutes, starting when Clement dropped back to pass, found no open receivers, and instead weaved through a seam in the defense for a 49-yard touchdown run. Karras added the two-point conversion to make it 34-14.

After another touchback from Erickson pinned the Redskins deep, the defense came up big again. On fourth-and-eight from their own 17-yard line, Fred Thomas pressured the Nokomis quarterback and forced an incompletion. Three plays later, Sullivan slipped across the goal line from five yards out, and the Erickson PAT pushed the margin to 41-14.

With the game out of reach, the Redskins were forced to pass. Facing fourth-and-five from their own 39, the Nokomis quarterback looked for a receiver over the middle, but Kian Davis intercepted the pass and returned it to the 10-yard line.

The Warriors then brought in their reserves, and freshman Ayden Spittler earned his first playoff touchdown from four yards out. Fellow freshman Carter Stinson booted the extra point—twice, due to a penalty—for the final 48-14 score. On the ensuing possession, Nokomis fumbled, and Hudson Rhoads pounced on the loose ball for the Warriors to effectively end the game.

Community Pep Rally

A community Pep Rally and Bonfire will be held on Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Shawver Farms, located east of town at 4797 E 1100th Rd, Casey. All are encouraged to attend to support the Warriors as they prepare for the Elite 8.

Senior receiver Jack Julius breaks away from the defense on his way to an 87-yard touchdown reception just before halftime. The score, which came one play after a Nolan Clement interception, gave Casey-Westfield a 20-7 lead heading into the locker room. —photo by Terri Cox

Game Summary

Score by Quarters

Scoring Drives

• 1st Quarter

  • CW: Kellen Sullivan 23-yard run (Wyatt Erickson Kick)

• 2nd Quarter

  • NOK: 5-yard run (Kick good)

  • CW: Kellen Sullivan 57-yard pass from Nolan Clement (Erickson kick)

  • CW: Jack Julius 87-yard pass from Nolan Clement (Kick blocked)

• 3rd Quarter

  • CW: Luke Karras 4-yard run (Conversion run failed)

• 4th Quarter

  • NOK: 3-yard run (Kick good)

  • CW: Nolan Clement 49-yard run (Karras run)

  • CW: Kellen Sullivan 5-yard run (Erickson kick)

  • CW: Ayden Spittler 4-yard run (Carter Stinson kick)

Individual Statistics

RUSHING:

• Nolan Clement: 4 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD

• Kellen Sullivan: 13 carries, 59 yards, 2 TDs

• Nick Fouty: 4 carries, 50 yards

• Luke Karras: 5 carries, 23 yards, 1 TD

• Ayden Spittler: 2 carries, 9 yards, 1 TD

• Gio Santillan: 3 carries, 9 yards

• Wyatt Erickson: 1 carry, 1 yard

PASSING:

• Nolan Clement: 6-for-10, 203 yards, 2 TDs

RECEIVING:

• Jack Julius: 2 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD

• Kellen Sullivan: 4 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD

DEFENSE:

• Tackles: Luke Karras 16, Kian Davis 9, Fred Thomas 6, Daryn Hupp 6, Jett Self 6, Will Moore 5, Kellen Sullivan 4, Nick Fouty 4, Kai Davis 3, Nolan Clement 2, Owen Tate 2, Wyatt Erickson 2, Niah Honselman 2, Landon Rohr 1, Ayden Spittler 1, Riley Phillips 1, Hudson Rhoads 1.

• Sacks: Niah Honselman 1

• Interceptions: Nolan Clement 1, Kian Davis 1

Quarterback Nolan Clement scans the field for an open receiver during the Warriors’ 48-14 playoff victory over Nokomis. Clement was masterful through the air, completing 6-of-10 passes for 203 yards and two long touchdowns. —photo by Terri Cox

Luke Karras is congratulated by teammate Fred Thomas after scoring on a tough four-yard run in the third quarter. In addition to his touchdown, Karras anchored the defense with a game-high 16 tackles in the playoff win. —photo by Terri Cox

Jett Self wraps up a Nokomis receiver for a loss during a key defensive stand in the first half. Self’s tackle on third down forced a fourth-and-long, helping the Warriors halt a promising Nokomis drive. —photo by Terri Cox

Casey-Westfield Head Coach Andy Fritchnitch and the Warrior captains join the Nokomis captains at midfield for the pre-game coin toss ahead of Saturday’s IHSA 1A Sweet 16 playoff game. —photo by Terri Cox