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Crystal Lake Central started fast and never let up as defeated Hyde Park 49-7 in the opening round of the Class 6A state playoffs at Metcalf Field in Crystal Lake.

The Tigers' Jordan Wallace set the tone by taking the opening kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game.

"They made a great block for me; I saw the opening and just took off," Wallace said. "I was just hoping the whole way they didn't catch me."

Crystal Lake Central running back Matt MacAlpine found the end zone on touchdowns runs of two and three yards in the first quarter. The 5-11 senior added another touchdown run in the second quarter, this one from one-yard out for a 28-0 Tigers' advantage.

This was MacAlpine's first full game back after fracturing the fibula in his left leg in the season opener.

"It felt great to be out here full time," said MacAlpine who had 17 yards on five carries. "Just getting that first touchdown was an emotional moment for me."

Crystal Lake Central quarterback Kyle Lavand (5-for 13 passing, 64 yards, two carries, 49 yards rushing) scored on an eight-yard run and tossed a one-yard touchdown pass to Jack Ortner as the fourth-seeded Tigers (8-2) took a 42-0 lead into halftime. The second half was played with a running clock.

No. 13-seeded Hyde Park (6-3) got on the scoreboard in the third quarter after quarterback Antoine Cobb carried two defenders into the end zone from six yards out. Crystal Lake Central finished the scoring on an eight-yard touchdown run by Ryan Williams (7 carries, 47 yards).

"We didn't execute as much as we could have," Cobb said. "When they were blitzing, we couldn't stop the blitz."

Cobb ran for 59 yards on 14 carries and completed 7-of-17 passes for 94 yards.
The Tigers will host Grant in the second round of the state playoffs next weekend.