Shepherd’s pick helps lift Sandburg past Joliet West
By Randy Whalen For Sun-Times Media September 7, 2012 10:46PM
Updated: October 10, 2012 6:27AM
Locked in a tie game at halftime, Sandburg was looking for a spark.
Wes Shepherd provided it as he returned an interception 22 yards for a touchdown in the opening minute of the second half and Sandburg went on to a 30-3 victory over Joliet West in the SouthWest Suburban Blue opener for both teams Friday night in Orland Park.
“I was calling it at halftime,” Shepherd said of his interception. “I saw it all day. I saw the read and jumped it. I was prepared.”
Lemonte Booker added third-quarter touchdown runs of 53 and 3 yards. The running back finished with 13 carries for 121 yards. He had 107 yards in the second half.
Jonathan Milazzo kicked fourth-quarter field goals of 30 and 42 yards to round out the scoring as the Eagles improved to 3-0, 1-0.
Joliet West (1-2, 0-1) took a 3-0 lead with five seconds left in the first quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Anthony DiNardo. Sandburg tied the game when Milazzo converted from 38 yards.
DiNardo and Ashton McCullough combined to go 19-of-40 passing for 211 yards and two interceptions for the Tigers.
