Drubbing of GBN puts New Trier in playoff position for first time since 2021

With three years of varsity experience under his belt, football is a familiar game to Francis Karp. 

But as the New Trier senior captain departed Robert Naughton Field Friday night, he was met with an unfamiliar feeling. For the first time as a Trevian, Karp and his teammates are headed to the IHSA playoffs.

“It feels amazing being part of this team,” Karp said. “I’ve played on this team for three years and this is our first time ever getting into the playoffs. This is my first time ever in my football career being on a team with a winning record, so it really is just amazing and it’s just a great way to go out.” 

New Trier’s physical offensive line — led largely by the play of Karp and fellow seniors Jacob Wineman, Carter Pavia and Winston Malayter — is one of the key reasons the Trevians will return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. 

The unit once again helped pave the way for an offensive explosion as the Trevians pounded Glenbrook North 49-7 on Friday, Oct. 17 in Northfield. The victory, which came on the program’s senior night, all but guarantees New Trier a spot in the postseason. 

“It’s just great for our team (getting to five wins),” New Trier head coach Brian Doll said. “I told our entire team that after walking off the field last year at the end of the season, looking at our juniors at the time who are now our seniors, that watching the disappointment they had to now today seeing the excitement they have of being back in the playoffs and accomplishing one of our big goals, I’m just really proud, so proud of them all. 

“We’re proud of the whole team, but specifically the seniors for the leadership they provided all season. It’s really amazing.” 

How it happened 

New Trier for the third time in four weeks got off to a fantastic start Friday night. The Trevians opened the game with a five-play, 55-yard scoring drive to jump out to a 7-0 lead over the Spartans. 

Junior Declan O’Meara rushed in a 7-yard touchdown to put the Trevs on the board. 

New Trier got the ball back in a hurry and delivered another successful series. The Trevs this time went 59 yards in eight plays to take a two-touchdown lead over North. O’Meara once again finished the drive, pounding in a 5-yard score late in the first quarter. 

Senior wide receiver Emmett Koshkarian took a short pass from quarterback Jackie Ryder 34 yards for New Trier’s third touchdown of the night early in the second quarter.

After forcing another three-and-out, the Trevians offense kept the party rolling on their next series. Ryder this time connected with fellow junior Alexander Fairchild for a 17-yard touchdown. Fairchild barreled by GBN’s defensive backfield and extended his arms fully to reach the ball just across the goal line right before he was brought down. 

“I knew nothing was going to stop me there,” Fairchild said of the score. “I needed my first touchdown of the year there. I know I’ve done a great job on defense this year but I really wanted that kind of prize on offense, that touchdown, and I knew nothing was going to stop me. I’m going to fight for those years every single time, no matter how hard it is.” 

Fairchild had another huge play waiting the next time he touched the ball. The Trevs’ two-way player returned a Glenbrook North punt 39 yards for a touchdown to give New Trier a 35-0 lead before halftime. 

“I was going forward and I knew that I would be able to catch it in stride,” Fairchild said of his punt return. “I trusted my guys to make blocks and I know what I can do as a player. … I evaded some tackles and I saw daylight and I took it all the way to the house.” 

Fairchild has been a crucial part of the team in all three phases of the game this season as he’s played a significant role on special teams, as a wide receiver and in the Trevs’ defensive backfield.  

Also a big part of New Trier’s 2024 team, Fairchild has seen the program’s culture shift since last season. 

“I think (our success) is all due to a culture change and I think that starts in the weight room,” he said. “I think that starts outside of the field and I think that starts with our captains. They’ve done a great job leading this team to a place that it’s supposed to be, and they’ve done a great job changing this team and its culture and getting that winning mentality back.”  

New Trier added on two more scores in the second half. Ryder fired a 35-yard touchdown pass to senior Keefer Baxter midway through the third quarter, and senior Alex Rafeedie then rushed home a 5-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the game’s final score. 

The Trevs continued their trend of putting up big offensive numbers. Ryder finished with 198 yards passing and three touchdown passes.

New Trier’s senior receiving duo of Baxter and Koshkarian also continues to impress. Baxter now has seven receiving touchdowns for the Trevs this season and Koshkarian’s team-high 40 receptions gives him a shot at program history. With one week to play, Koshkarian is now 12 catches away from tying the single-season reception record for New Trier football, which is held by Andy Deahl.    

It was a stellar night for the Trevs defense as well. New Trier has allowed just 13 points over its last two games and the Trevs have now held three of their last four opponents to seven points or fewer. 

“I’m so proud of our defense,” senior defensive lineman Stephen Vellon said. “We’ve just been flying to the ball ever since our preseason scrimmage. We all want the ball and we’re all just flying to it. Our pursuit as a defense has really improved since last year and I think all of us just want that feeling of getting to the ball.” 

A showdown in Glenview awaits 

New Trier will wrap up its regular season next Friday night with a trip to Glenview to face the Glenbrook South Titans. 

The Titans have been a thorn in New Trier’s side for the better part of this decade, beating the Trevs in each of the last four seasons. New Trier last topped the Titans in Week 1 of the 2021 spring season, a six-game campaign that was abbreviated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With a 6-2 mark this season, Glenbrook South is headed back to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. 

“They’re a great team with a great coaching staff,” Doll said of the Titans. “It’s going to be a fun game. I know our kids are excited but our staff is excited as well.” 

Doll noted the Trevs will need to take care of the ball and make key plays in short-yard situations if they hope to knock off the Titans. 

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