Younger West Aurora teammates started the nickname late last season.
Now, senior safety/running back Azuriah Sylvester chuckles at the mere mention of the moniker.
“Everybody calls me ‘Unc,’” Sylvester said. “They say I act old or mature, I guess.
“It’s just a name. I’m still a young guy — a kid still.”
Maybe so, but linebackers coach Dave Gesiakowski confirmed it’s fitting.
“Azzie’s an old soul,” Gesiakowski said. “I think his teammates see he’s mature beyond his years.”
Sylvester, a three-varsity regular who also returns kicks, was likely someone very good to have around Saturday afternoon, especially for the long bus ride back home from Park Ridge.
The high-flying Blackhawks took one on the chin, absorbing a 41-6 loss to host Maine South in a Class 8A second-round playoff game, and probably needed some perspective.
“I feel amazing right now,” Sylvester said. “It’s sad we lost and our season is over, but we went from 1-8 my sophomore year to 5-5 last year and now we’re 10-1. We had an amazing season.”
Not much went right for West Aurora (10-1) after forcing a three-and-out by Maine South (8-3) on the opening drive. A short punt gave the Blackhawks possession at the Hawks’ 34, but they couldn’t convert, turning the ball over on downs after netting just 3 yards.
Sophomore quarterback Jameson Purcell, who threw two incompletions on the first drive, then directed five straight scoring drives for Maine South. He completed 18 of his next 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
That was game as the Blackhawks were held scoreless, with just 7 net yards rushing and 103 yards passing, including just two completions of 10 or more yards.
“They had some big linemen — that definitely helps an offense,” Sylvester said. “They just got momentum and everybody started getting out of it.”
That’s not like Sylvester, who came into the game leading West Aurora in rushing with 479 yards, all-purpose yards with 776, in scoring with 84 points on 14 TDs and also in tackles with 47.
The defense’s biggest challenge?
“Rally to the ball,” Sylvester said. “Most importantly, when they got those deep balls or 20-yard runs, was the most important thing.
“It looked like their quarterback picked who he wanted to throw the ball to before they snapped the ball and then it was just catch and throw.”
Maine South advances to next week’s quarterfinals, where they will play at Loyola (9-2), which rallied in the fourth quarter Saturday for a 24-20 win over Marist.
Senior receiver Reece Powers provided West Aurora’s only scoring, coming up with a diving catch of a 3-yard pass in the end zone with four minutes remaining.
Iowa recruit Terrence Smith finished with nine receptions for 75 yards and fellow senior receiver Kewon Marshall added seven catches for 78 yards.
“Getting that stop at first was huge for us, but not capitalizing on it gave them a little bit of firepower,” Powers said. “They were able to use that to their advantage, and the scoreboard shows that.”
West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said he takes some of the blame for not making better calls.
“Maine South has got some kids that can do some things,” he said. “I was surprised. I thought we would move the ball and score points, and it just didn’t happen.
“I don’t know what to say other than they had our number and that’s a really good football team.”
But seniors like Sylvester and several others who played up as sophomores have done their part.
“We did a lot of good and (Saturday) doesn’t define our season,” he said, pointing to Maine South. “Where they are at is somewhere we want to get to.
“We’ve now gotten to the second round of the playoffs, and it’s time to take the next step and play with the blue bloods of 8A.”
