They say big-time players play their best in big-time games. In that case, Northwestern defensive end commit Devin O’Rourke proved that he is a big-time player.

O'Rourke, a four-star, Rivals250 prospect, racked up an amazing 12 tackles, including two sacks, as his Frankfort (Ill.) Lincoln-Way East team got to enjoy a 28-26 thriller over Park Ridge Maine South in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown.

Maine South, alma mater of Northwestern QB Matt Alviti, is the reigning Illinois Class 8A state champion and came into the game ranked No. 1 in the AP poll for Illinois, while Lincoln-Way East held the No. 2 spot.

This was a grudge match after Maine South took a 34-31 win over L-W East when they last met. Northern Illinois University pledge Fotis Kokosioulis was the hero for Maine South last year, rushing for 150 yards against the Griffins. This year, he carried 14 times for just four yards as O’Rourke and the LWE defense held Maine South to minus-17 yards rushing on 20 attempts.

O'Rourke got plenty of help from fellow DE Jaden Hacha, who had two sacks among his eight tackles.

“The entire defensive line played outstanding,” Hacha said. “Their great play allowed Devin and I to get the sacks. We really wanted to beat Maine South after last season.”

Maine South did their part, too. Quarterback John O’Sullivan torched the Griffin secondary for 370 yards passing and four touchdowns. Ultimately, it came down to a 10-yard touchdown pass from O'Sullivan to receiver Cam Stacy, but a two-point conversion that would have tied the game failed and the Griffins held on for the win.

Now at 2-0, the Lincoln-Way East Griffins look to advance their winning ways as they travel to Tinley Park Andrew for the beginning of the conference schedule.

Find out how the rest of Northwestern's Class of 2018 commits fared over the weekend in WildcatReport's Recruit Roundup.