Sophomore running back Brayden McKay is having a blast sharing the Providence backfield with junior Broden Mackert.
McKay feels the two complement each other perfectly.
“Me and Broden have a really good bond,” McKay said. “He’s more of a power back and I’m more of a fast back, so I set him up and then he finishes the job.”
If Mackert brings the thunder for the Celtics, McKay certainly provided the lightning Saturday. He scored on touchdown runs of 16 and 19 yards to spark host Providence to a 31-21 win over Oak Forest in a Class 5A state semifinal in New Lenox.
McKay finished with 135 yards and the two TDs on just nine carries and added two catches for 42 yards for Providece (10-3). Mackert ran for 172 yards on 18 carries, while Dominic Vita completed 10 of 13 passes for 144 yards, including a 40-yard TD to Xavier Coleman.
Blake Garrigan also came up with a fumble recovery for the Celtics, who advance to their second state championship game in four years. They will try to win the program’s 11th title and first since 2014 at 10 a.m. Saturday against Wheaton St. Francis (10-3) at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
It will be a rematch of a Sept. 26 game, which the Celtics lost 47-35.
“I came here for the family,” McKay said of Providence. “It’s a great school with a great tradition. And we want to add to that. I’m just looking to get another banner up in that gym.”
Daniel Chopp threw a 31-yard TD pass to Andrew Dawson and ran for a 4-yard TD to lead Oak Forest (11-2), which advanced to the semifinals for only the third time in program history and first since 2007. Bryce Hoffman added a fumble recovery.
McKay, meanwhile, was the playmaker early for Providence. He broke off a 16-yard TD run in the first quarter and a 19-yard TD dash in the second quarter to give the Celtics a 14-0 lead.
Mackert was thrilled to see it.
“We’re brothers,” Mackert said. “When I’m tired, Brayden goes in. When he’s tired, I go in. We work hard together and we help each other. He does the job.
“He’s fast and he can get through the hole and make things happen.”
Providence coach Tyler Plantz is impressed with both of his running backs’ football IQ.
“The way they see the game, it’s hard to teach that,” Plantz said. “You kind of either have that or you don’t. It’s the way they have the vision, the way they’re able to attack and their fearlessness at the point of attack. You couldn’t ask for tougher players.”
The Celtics gave up some big plays to the Bengals, but their defense stepped up when they needed it. That included on Oak Forest’s first drive of the game, when Garrigan pounced on a fumble at Providence’s 25 to keep a 7-0 lead intact.
“I saw a big pile, I saw the ball on the ground and I dove on it,” Garrigan said. “It took the momentum and it swept them away. We won the game from there, I think.”
That means McKay can delay his wrestling season for another week.
“I’m definitely happy because those practices are pretty tough,” McKay said. “But getting to play one more week of football with my boys is the best. This is the goal.”
McKay got his chance on varsity right away last season as a freshman. He learned a lot and has blossomed into one of several young stars for the Celtics.
Now, he’s headed to state.
“It feels great,” McKay said. “I left it all on the line for my seniors and this is where it got us. After all the blood, sweat and tears, I’m just happy that I get to take my boys to the championship.”
