New Trier steps up to playoff challenge, punch quarterfinal ticket for first time since 2014

In a night full of spectacular plays, a 1-yard run proved to be the difference on Friday night in Northfield.

New Trier senior running back Throy Nightingale Jr.’s short, fourth-quarter touchdown rush gave his team a 26-15 lead, and the Trevians held on for a 26-23 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in an IHSA Class 8A playoff game Nov. 6 on New Trier’s home field.

On the more spectacular side, Nightingale’s halfback pass to John Baxter early in the fourth quarter was the night’s biggest moment. The play went for a 49-yard touchdown and gave the Trevians a 19-15 lead and a boost of momentum after a stagnant third quarter.

The Trevians had a 12-8 halftime lead courtesy of a pair of second-quarter touchdown receptions by Paul Liang.

On the first, quarterback Jackie Ryder dropped a dime to Liang along the sideline for a 36-yard score, cutting the Vikings lead to 8-6.

Five minutes later, Ryder found Liang for 16 yards in the end zone after Liang’s wheel route fooled the Vikings defense and gave the game its halftime score of 12-8.

Homewood-Flossmoor put together a powerful drive out of the halftime break, taking the ball 79 yards for a score to take the lead.

New Trier could not muster much and fumbled in the third quarter, but the Trevians defense held strong until the offense came around.

After the Vikings got the score to 26-23 late in the game, the Trevians picked up three first downs to bleed five minutes off the clock. The final came on a gutsy pass from Ryder to senior tight end Harry Resis, who picked up 9 yards to cinch the victory.

The Trevians move on to the postseason quarterfinals for the first time since 2014. They will take on the 8A bracket’s No. 2 seed Huntley, which has yet to lose this season and bested Lane Tech 42-0 on Friday night.

The last and only time (under the IHSA) New Trier has made a football postseason semifinal was 1982, when the Trevians finished second in Class 6A under coach Eugene “Chick” Cichowski.

Stay tuned to TheRecordNorthShore.org as this story is updated with stats, quotes and more details.

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