The last play on offense for Richards’ Ahmad Buchanan actually resulted in a touchdown.

Buchanan, a star senior safety, was asked to play running back this season for the Bulldogs. His final high school touch Friday night came on a catch in traffic in the right corner of the end zone.

Senior quarterback Noah Escobedo, who threw the pass, could only shake his head afterward.

“Man, I don’t even know how he came down with it,” Escobedo said. “To be honest, that was just kind of a hope and a prayer. He’s an athlete. He comes through with those types of plays.”

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Buchanan made some big plays again, running for 144 yards on 19 carries, but top-seeded Richards dropped a 42-21 decision to 16th-seeded Hersey in a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Oak Lawn.

Buchanan also had three catches for 20 yards in leading the Bulldogs (9-2). Escobedo completed 14 of 37 passes for 246 yards and three TDs while also running for 65 yards on 14 carries.

Richards’ Ahmad Buchanan (6) prepares to stiff-arm Hersey’s Ben Martin (8) during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Carmelo Palumbo and Jaiden Henry also caught TD passes, but Hersey (9-2) advanced to the quarterfinals by outgaining Richards 533-462 behind Ohio recruit Brandon Jenkins.

Jenkins ran for 260 yards and two TDs on 21 carries for the Huskies, who led 14-7 at halftime. He then produced back-to-back TD runs of 63 and 53 yards in the opening 1:05 of the third quarter.

Buchanan, meanwhile, closed out his high school career by doing a little bit of everything. And the South Suburban Red’s player of the year delivered another outstanding performance.

“I wasn’t used to playing offense because I’m a defensive guy,” Buchanan said of his adjustment. “But it had to be done. Nobody else was going to do it, so I had to step up.

Richards’ Noah Escobedo (7) gets chased out of the pocket by Hersey’s Nick Jelaca (21) during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

“It was fun. I love scoring touchdowns.”

Buchanan confirmed that colleges have been looking at him as a defensive player. He made a visit to Miami of Ohio and has received recruiting interest from Toledo and Lindenwood.

While his days on offense appear to be over, his coaches and teammates appreciated his efforts, which included a six-TD game against Oak Lawn, tying a program record.

Buchanan also came through with a five-TD effort against Eisenhower.

Richards’ Ahmad Buchanan (6) runs the ball up the middle against Hersey during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

“You know, we asked him to do something that he never did before and play running back as well as play both ways,” Richards coach Tony Sheehan said. “That takes a toll on your body.

“He’s a warrior. He worked hard in the offseason in the weight room and continued to during the year because he knew the toll it would take on his body. He had a turf toe the last four or five weeks and you wouldn’t know it.”

Escobedo pointed out that Buchanan, who is nicknamed “AJ,” defines the program.

“AJ definitely does his role well,” Escobedo said. “When we ask him to run the ball, he gives it his all. When we’re in pass protection, he steps up and blocks. Mind you, he plays defense and plays both sides the whole game.

Richards’ Ahmad Buchanan (6) sprints away from the defense against Hersey during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Oak Lawn on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

“Having someone like that shows what Richards is all about. We’re tough, tough, determined people and we don’t want to give up. Someone like AJ is a representation of what Richards football is.”

Buchanan said that he got involved with football at age 8. Richards teammate Kamari Sapara, who’s also his cousin, talked him into playing with the Calumet City Thunderbolts.

Over the years, Buchanan has grown to love the sport but not just for what happens on the field.

“I love the team bonding and bonding with the coaches,” he said. “The memories. Going out there and fighting our hardest. It’s just great.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/ahmad-buchanan-richards-hersey-ihsa-football/