Football: Shepard Overcomes Slow Start, Tops Payton Prep

Breaking It Down: turned the ball over twice in the first half, but its defense had two takeaways to help jump-start a 27-0 win at Lane Stadium. Senior tailback John Kotas had 16 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown, while junior quarterback/defensive back Jimmy McClinton had a touchdown pass and a 52-yard interception return that set up another score. Shepard's defense, which allowed 196 total yards, shut down Payton Prep inside the 10-yard-line on three series en route to the shutout.

Patch's MVP: Jimmy McClinton, Shepard. The junior had a hand in three Astros scores—a 52-yard interception return that set up a touchdown, a 1-yard TD plunge and a 43-yard TD strike to Brandon Lucas in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter. McClinton finished 3-of-6 for 74 yards passing.

Shepard Stat Pack: Cortez Miller rushed for 83 yards on seven carries with a touchdown. Cameron Foreman and Bryan Tellado combined for a sack on Payton Prep's opening drive, while Demetrius Taylor had a sack to end the first half.

Payton Prep Stat Pack: Justin Smith had 16 carries for 110 yards. The Grizzles' defense forced three turnovers—two fumbles and a pick.

Quotable I: “I thought it was very sloppy; we weren't consistent. That's stuff that we have to work on. A win is a win, though,” Shepard coach Dominic Passolano said.

Quotable II: “This is my junior year. I'm just proving myself to the team, proving myself to the seniors and proving myself to the coaches. I've got to follow up behind a good quarterback we had last year, so I'm just trying to keep it going,” Shepard QB Jimmy McClinton said.

Team Records: Shepard is 1-0. Payton Prep is 0-1.

What's Next: Shepard hosts Hubbard at 7 p.m on Sept. 2. Payton College Prep heads to Evergreen Park on Sept. 2.

Scores of Interest: Sandburg 17, Andrew 10. For more scores, go to IHSA Scorezone.