Trash talk ended up turning into a monetary gain for Bremen’s Vince Webber.
His older brother, Basil, played for Hillcrest. Vince, a junior defensive do-it-all standout for the Braves, headed into Saturday’s game against Hillcrest with a playoff bid on the line.
After the trash talking, a wager was made.
“We bet $100,” Vince said Monday.
Whoa, that’s big money for a high school kid.
But Vince won the bet. And had also a big hand in making sure his investment was safe.
Webber produced an early interception in the end zone for a touchdown and his defensive teammates feasted thereafter for a 34-0 South Suburban Blue victory in Midlothian.
It means Bremen (5-4) will open the Class 6A playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday on the road against top-seeded Kankakee (9-0). The Kays are a challenge, averaging 48 points a game.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Webber and the Braves — who had 21 tackles for loss and nine sacks — need to have a similar performance to Saturday as Hillcrest (6-3) was shut out for the first time this season.
“Our backs were against the wall,” Webber said. “And our team never gives up.
“We just want to win. I thought we were going to win by a touchdown or two, but I didn’t think the score was going to be that big. We wanted it.”
Bremen coach Dan Stell said his defenders “played like their hair was on fire.” Damarion Murry had six tackles for loss, Jaquan Hogan added five and Webber and D’ionte Jones each had four.
Webber leads the team with 111 tackles, including 18 for loss and four sacks. He also has four quarterback hurries and two fumble recoveries playing multiple positions.
“We’ve moved him to so many different positions,” Stell said. “He’s played defensive line for us. He’s played linebacker. He’s played defensive end. He even plays a little offense.
“He’s a throwback player, for sure.”
Webber is a three-sport athlete who also plays basketball and baseball for the Braves.
He said football and baseball are his main sports and he does basketball for fun. He’s been the starting catcher for the varsity in baseball team since he was a freshman.
Mike Cline, his coach in baseball for Bremen, also coaches the defense for the football team so he gets to see Webber quite a bit.
“Unbelievable kid,” Cline said. “Great student. He comes from a great family. He’s a student of the game. I meet with him every week to go over the defensive game plan before we address the team.
“It’s every father’s dream to have a son like that. I’m just fortunate to live vicariously through him. I’m a lucky man to coach Vince Webber.”
The Braves, who made the playoffs for the fourth straight season, held a team party after the Hillcrest win. Last year, the Braves won 35-7 over Chicago Washington in the first round for their first playoff win since 2005.
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After the party, the Braves went their separate ways, and Webber watched the playoff pairings show at home. He said he didn’t care who flashed up on the screen. He was going to enjoy it.
When he found out Kankakee was the opponent, he didn’t blink.
“My first reaction is that I’m excited — we’re in the playoffs,” he said. “It’s not easy to make the playoffs, and when you do make the playoffs, it’s exciting to play.”
There might not be any more brotherly wagering, and as of Monday, Vince was still waiting for his money.
What will he do with the bounty?
“I’ll save it I guess,” he said. “Or maybe buy some shoes.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.