Stevenson Dominates Libertyville with Impressive Passing Game

Stevenson High School showcased a powerful offensive performance on October 6, 2023, defeating Libertyville 31-6 in their North Suburban Conference opener. Quarterback Aidan Crawley led the charge, connecting on numerous long passes to junior receivers Dylan Fawcett and Brandon Hersch, significantly contributing to the Patriots’ victory.

Crawley, who threw for a total of 325 yards, found Fawcett for eight catches totaling 124 yards and Hersch for four catches, also netting 124 yards. “We’ve got some speedy guys this year, and it’s awesome knowing I have those guys out there,” Crawley noted after the game. The dynamic trio, which has developed a strong rapport, demonstrated their ability to make big plays throughout the contest.

The game began with both teams facing a barrage of penalties, stalling early momentum. However, Stevenson struck first on their second possession when Crawley completed a short pass to tight end Zach Becker, who raced down the field for a 58-yard touchdown. Becker, who left the game on crutches with an ice pack on his left ankle, is expected to return next week.

Despite a moment of concern when Fawcett fumbled in the second quarter, Stevenson quickly regained control. Fawcett responded by catching passes for 16 yards and 32 yards, leading to Crawley’s two-yard touchdown sneak, extending the lead to 14-0. Crawley then connected with Hersch for a stunning 62-yard touchdown, further solidifying Stevenson’s dominance. A 33-yard field goal by Caden An capped off the first half, leaving the score at 24-0.

Libertyville struggled offensively, finishing the first half with just one first down and a mere 25 total yards, compared to Stevenson’s impressive 303 yards. The Wildcats, under first-year head coach Tim Budge, faced challenges on both sides of the ball, particularly in defending against deep passes. “We just really struggled to execute on all phases of the game,” Budge remarked.

The second half saw Libertyville attempt to rally. Junior quarterback Brady Buenik, who had earlier announced his commitment to the University of Tennessee for baseball, rotated in and out of the game but was unable to lead a significant comeback after being knocked out of play. Libertyville managed to score on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Wallace to tight end Brock Williams, but it was not enough to close the gap.

Defensively, Stevenson was bolstered by standout performances from Sunny Tsai, Anthony Adams, and Jake Zachura, who effectively contained Libertyville’s offensive efforts. The Wildcats were able to gain some yardage with junior Aiden Weaver, who quickly eclipsed their first-half total, but they ultimately fell short against a well-rounded Stevenson team.

Stevenson improved to a record of 2-1, following a narrow win against Wheaton North in the previous week and an opening loss to Prospect. Coach Brent Becker expressed pride in his team’s response to early-season struggles, stating, “Our offense has had a slow start the first couple of weeks here. They came out and really kept working.”

As Stevenson looks ahead to the rest of the season, the combination of Crawley’s strong arm and the speed of Fawcett and Hersch promises to pose a significant threat to future opponents in the North Suburban Conference.