During the first quarter of the Maine South campaign Victory 49-42 against Naperville North in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs, there was discussion on the sidelines about how Hawks quarterback Jameson Purcell was playing for a sophomore.

After three quarters, the question was: Is Purcell already one of the five best quarterbacks in the state? By the fourth quarter, it didn’t seem crazy to wonder if Maine South would lose again over the next month or two seasons.

Purcell was 37 of 50 for 465 yards with six touchdowns and one interception, which came on the 50th pass. And the numbers don’t tell the story.

Purcell checked off multiple receivers, worked to clear space and hit receivers in stride. It was an eye-opening performance.

“My coaches and trainers really prepared me for these moments,” Purcell said. “Every week I’m getting better and developing better chemistry with the guys. I can see the field well and find my guys when they are open.

Purcell has scholarship offers from Auburn, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Nebraska, Mississippi, UCLA, Washington and several other schools. He is one of the top prospects in the country.

But it’s still surprising to see a sophomore with only a handful of high school starts dominate a high-profile Class 8A playoff game.

Purcell, 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds, took over the starting job in Week 4 against Barrington.

“I didn’t expect to find myself in this situation, but I was prepared for it,” Purcell said. “All my teammates supported me and trusted me.”

Constantine Coines, who lost the starting quarterback spot, has become a dangerous receiver. He had six catches for 46 yards against Naperville North.

Everything went well for Maine South, which now appears ready to make a shot at the Class 8A state title.

Sycamore AD withdraws proposal to end Prep Bowl =

Sycamore athletic director Chauncey Carrick has decided to withdraw his controversial Illinois High School Association. proposed regulation to finish the Prep Bowl.

“We decided to withdraw (the proposal), even though (St. Rita coach Marty Hopkins’) statement was the reason we made the proposal. However, due to the great respect we have for Mickey Pruitt (Interim Athletic Director of CPS) and the work he does for CPS, we are withdrawing the proposed rule.

St. Rita won the Prep Bowl last season. After the proposed settlement was announced Friday, Hopkins expressed dismay that anyone would try to stop the historic game and also mentioned that it was “very beneficial for us to have the Prep Bowl go ahead last season.

Public League Struggles

Chicago Public Schools football teams went 1-17 in the first round against non-CPS opponents and were outscored 764-110. Eight teams from the Public League were excluded.

The only win was Morgan Park’s 34-0 shutout of Tinley Park.

Four other Public League teams advanced: Young, Westinghouse, Ag. Science and King. All four have defeated Public League opponents. This is the Cyclones’ first playoff victory.

History makers

Woodstock North beat Freeport in the Class 5A first round to win its first playoff game since 2012. Burlington Central beat Grant in Class 6A to earn its first playoff victory in 18 years.

And West Aurora, which beat Huntley in Class 8A, is 10-0 for the first time in 77 years.