Oswego’s Conor Tully Returns to Lead Defense After Injury Setback

Oswego High School’s senior linebacker, Conor Tully, is making a significant impact on the field this season after a year-long injury hiatus. Tully, who missed his entire junior year due to a broken foot, is now leading the team as they head into a critical playoff game against Naperville North this Friday in the Class 8A first round.

Tully’s enthusiasm and energy are evident both in practice and during games. His coach, Brian Cooney, describes him as a player who enjoys every moment on the field. “He looks like he enjoys every single minute of practice,” Cooney noted. Tully himself expressed his natural drive, stating, “I’m going to bring my all and bring the energy… It locks me in for the rest of the game.”

The path back to competitive play has not been easy for Tully. He sustained a fractured foot during the final week of preseason training before his junior year. Despite trying to push through the pain, medical evaluations confirmed the injury, sidelining him for the entire season. “I was amazed when I found out the injury, but in a bad way,” Tully recalled. After a challenging recovery, he returned to competition last spring in baseball and is now excelling in football as the season progresses.

As of now, Tully leads Oswego with impressive statistics, including tackles, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles. His performance has contributed to the team’s successful record of 7-2 this season. “It’s a great feeling after missing the whole year of football from sophomore year,” Tully shared.

Oswego East Prepares for Rematch Against Bolingbrook

In another significant matchup, Oswego East is set to face Bolingbrook in a playoff rematch. Coach Tyson LeBlanc acknowledged that while facing a familiar opponent can be challenging, the team is eager to take on Bolingbrook after losing to them earlier in the season. “That is half a season ago. They have done some really good things, won our side of the conference. We are excited to play them at what we consider full strength,” LeBlanc said.

In the previous encounter, Oswego East was missing key players, including top receivers Lincoln Ijams and Donavin Eason. Bolingbrook triumphed with a score of 32-7 on September 26. Ijams and Eason’s recent performances, with both achieving 100-yard receiving games, have bolstered the team’s offensive strategy ahead of the rematch.

LeBlanc emphasized the need to contain Bolingbrook’s potent offensive duo, running back TJ Lewis and quarterback Tyson Ward. In their last game, Lewis rushed for 197 yards and three touchdowns, while Ward contributed 110 yards and two touchdowns. “You have to pick your poison,” LeBlanc remarked, underscoring the challenge of managing their dynamic play.

Yorkville’s Growth Reflected in Playoff Performance

Meanwhile, Yorkville is also gearing up for its first playoff game against Glenbard North. Coach Dan McGuire reflected on the evolution of the Yorkville program, noting that their current enrollment surpasses that of Glenbard North, which has a storied playoff history. “To go from 4A and 5A to now we are playing Bolingbrook on one Friday and Glenbard North the next is pretty surreal to me,” McGuire stated.

A standout performance from Yorkville came from sophomore Jayden Ruth, who, despite a tough loss against Bolingbrook, made a notable impact by scoring a touchdown after returning from an injury. McGuire praised Ruth’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure, highlighting his versatility on both offense and defense.

As Yorkville prepares for Glenbard North, they face a formidable challenge in Donato Gatses, who has accumulated 1,721 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. Gatses’ impressive statistics, including a recent game where he rushed for 264 yards and five touchdowns, showcase the difficulty Yorkville will face. McGuire emphasized the importance of limiting Gatses’ explosive plays to secure a victory.

As the playoffs unfold, teams like Oswego, Oswego East, and Yorkville are determined to showcase their skill and determination on the field, making this season one to watch for fans and players alike.