MVP Isaiah Rucker Leads Crete-Monee to Victory Over Rich East

Crete-Monee quarterback Isaiah Rucker threw for four touchdowns during Saturday’s game against Rich East.

Courtesy of the Chicago Tribune

Crete-Monee’s Isaiah Rucker is known not to be greedy, but the senior quarter back doesn’t mind showing off his impressive skills against his opponents. He is well-known by his teammates for his “bazooka-like” throwing arm, allowing more frequently longer passes. Rucker’s fellow receivers, like Jamal Safo, turned those short passes into long touchdowns Saturday morning in a comfortable 48-12 Southland Conference win. Rucker at 6-foot-6, and weighing at 225 pounds, completed 14 of 16 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns to give Crete-Monee an early lead in the game.

“There is nothing wrong with short passes,” Rucker said with a smile in an interview with a Chicago Tribune reporter. “I get a little itchy to throw it long. But we’re winning and that’s all that matters.”

The victory sets up a potential first-place showdown for Friday against Rich Central in the Olympia Fields. Safo was able to turn a pair of short completions from Rucker into a 72-yard touchdown and a 36-yard touchdown, allowing the Warriors to open up a 32-6 lead at halftime. Safo, a Crete Monee junior, knew the ball was coming his way when the offense broke from his team’s huddle.

“Every time I get the ball I think I’m going to score,” said Safo. “Once I see a hole, I try to use my speed to get lose. Guys did nice job blocking.”

Safo mentioned that it helped to have a good quarter back like Rucker.

“He can throw the ball anywhere,” Safo said. “He sees you when you’re open and gets the ball to you.”

Rucker also complimented on his teammates, Tyler Mays on a 34-yard touchdown pass and Joshua Tomas on a 9-yard touchdown pass.

“We have a lot of veterans on offense,” Rucker said. “We did a nice job of executing.”

Overall, Crete-Monee’s defense held Rich East High School to a good game. The coach was very proud at the performance of his teammates, and hoped that the success continues for seasons to come.

“I’m happy we won,” Crete-Monee coach John Konecki said. “We can play better. We have a lot of guys who can touch the ball and take it to the rack.”