When junior receiver Jaiden Henry suited up this summer for Richards after coming over from Stagg, he was confident he could make big plays for the Bulldogs.
But Henry knew he had to earn those opportunities with his new team. And sharing an offense with a workhorse senior running back like Myles Mitchell, Henry has learned to be patient.
“I transferred in and I knew I was going to have to work my way up the depth charts,” Henry said. “My time came. It’s the playoffs. You can only dream of this. (Saturday) was the time.”
That moment came with just over five minutes left in Saturday’s game.
Henry turned his only catch of the day into a game-winning 73-yard touchdown, lifting the host Bulldogs to a 21-20 victory over Kankakee in a Class 6A state quarterfinal in Oak Lawn.
Noah Escobedo completed 6 of 9 passes for 101 yards for Richards (11-1), including the long strike to Henry. Mitchell, a North Dakota State recruit, ran the ball 30 times for 110 yards and a TD.
Emmanuel Mahonie had a huge 50-yard fumble return for a TD, while Kamron Norwood pitched in with a sack and a tackle for loss.
The Bulldogs, who snapped a 10-game winning streak by Kankakee (10-2), advanced to the semifinals for the first time since 2018 and the third time in coach Tony Sheehan’s 16-year tenure.
They will make the long trip to play Saturday at East St. Louis (11-1). The Flyers, who were the state runners-up in 2023, are looking to reach their fifth straight championship game.
Richards will play in that game because of the heroics from Henry. On a second-and-18, he got behind his defender, caught a pass from Escobedo just shy of midfield and was off to the races.
“We’d been handing the ball off a lot all game,” Henry said. “That was our plan — pound the ball. We knew we were going to have to take a shot deep eventually. It was just a matter of time.
“I think my guy got lost on the out coming under. I went over the top, made a play, got in the end zone.”
Patience was the theme of the day. It was also a vital trait for Escobedo, who spent much of the day on the sideline as Richards frequently used Mitchell as a Wildcat quarterback.
“When I got my chance, I stepped up,” Escobedo said. “Earlier in the game, we had thrown that quick out and the corner charged on it super quickly.
“So, (Sheehan) told me, ‘Pump the out and you’re going to have the fade wide open.’ That’s what I did, and it led to a big play.”
Escobedo appreciates the way Henry has handled his transition to the Bulldogs.
“As soon as he came over at summer camp, he was working hard,” Escobedo said. “He wanted to be here. He wasn’t starting at first, but he worked his way up and now we’re here.
“I love him. He’s a great guy. He’s stayed positive the whole time.”
So did Mahonie, who did not crack the starting lineup until midway through the season. He returned a fumble for a TD for a second straight week. This one tied the game 14-14 late in the third quarter.
“The ball went flying toward the sideline,” Mahonie said. “I was like, ‘I’ve got to go get this ball. I’ve got to make a play.’ I saw green turf. I was happy. I was like, ‘I’m going to score this again.’”
Henry knows that feeling, too. He saw nothing but green turf ahead on the biggest play of the season for the Bulldogs.
“All week we’ve been harping on, ‘When it’s your time to make a play, make a play,’” Henry said. “I’ve really been harping on that.
“All year, I’ve been trying to make plays, and (Saturday) was the day.”
