Junior safety Naquan Griffin is gaining confidence in his role as wide receiver for Richards. Injuries forced him into playing both positions mid-season. With playoffs approaching, he assured senior quarterback Eric Jacobs of his reliability.
“I told Eric in practice that every time he throws me the ball I’m going to catch it,” Griffin said. “He said he trusted me and he showed me he trusted me.”
Griffin delivered on his promise during Saturday’s game, catching early touchdown passes of 65 and 78 yards. His performance fueled a significant victory for the Bulldogs, as they defeated Niles North 50-8 in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs in Oak Lawn.
Eric Jacobs efficiently completed 5 of 7 passes for 235 yards. Of those, his first five resulted in touchdowns, showcasing Richards’ dominant play. Post-game, Jacobs attributed his success to teamwork.
“That’s the way we practice and that’s the way we go about things,” Jacobs said. “Thank God that our minds are healthy. We try to take it day by day and try to get better every single day.”
Additional contributions came from Logan Sales, who caught two touchdown passes, and Jordan Lewis, who secured one alongside a rushing touchdown. Kamron Norwood capitalized on a fumble return for another score.
Niles North’s Isaac Stan ran 59 yards and scored on a 4-yard touchdown, representing their efforts. However, thanks to Jacobs and Griffin’s initial connection, Richards hit the 50-point mark for the first time this season.
“He’s a really great athlete for us,” Jacobs said regarding Griffin. “In my personal opinion, I believe that all of our receivers — especially Naquan — are going to catch the ball and do something with it.”
The season marked significant changes for Griffin. Transferring from Crete-Monee, he was asked to contribute offensively at Richards after initial defensive assignments.
Coach Tony Sheehan explained, “We strictly had Naquan as a safety and corner, and then some guys got hurt and banged up. It was kind of, ‘Hey, you have to come over and play receiver a little bit.’ And then it was, ‘All right, now you have to play full time.'”
Impressed from the start, Sheehan saw Griffin’s potential during summer evaluations.
“His football IQ is off the charts and he is very smart,” Sheehan said. “He can catch the ball and obviously you can see he is explosive. He makes plays all over the field.”
Reflecting on his defensive skills, Griffin thwarted Niles North’s Isaac Stan on a pass attempt during the playoff game.
Griffin’s familiarity with some players from prior youth football played a role in his integration into the team.
Reflecting on the first day, Sheehan noted, “We saw he was a very, very intelligent football player. We threw everything at him. He picked it right up and just took off.”
Griffin’s impact was immediate, with two successful possessions early on in the game. Surprised by the lack of opposition focus from Niles North, Griffin noted his experience with Richards.
“Everybody welcomed me here as family and we all just became brothers,” Griffin shared. “We had a lot of ups and downs with players getting injured. But a lot of people were stepping up.”
Griffin feels confident about the team’s direction and their readiness for playoffs. Moreover, his potential has caught the attention of Illinois State, receiving an invitation for a visit during their homecoming game against Indiana State.
“I’m trying to get the colleges to look at me,” Griffin stated. “I’m trying my best.”
Freelance reporter Jeff Vorva contributed to the Daily Southtown.
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