Football comes first for Oswego’s Conor Tully, so the Sunshine State will have to wait.

The senior linebacker smiled while relaying the news. The Panthers extending their season with a third straight playoff win has thrown a wrench into the vacation plans of his parents, Tom and Kim.

“It’s a funny story,” Conor said. “They’re both big sports fans and know how big a deal this is for the community. They were scheduled to go to Orlando this weekend with my aunt and uncle to see family — enjoy warm weather.”

Not now.

Not after Oswego (10-2) advanced to a 5 p.m. Saturday state semifinal game against resurgent Lockport (9-3) by virtue of a 24-21 come-from-behind quarterfinal win over Maine South (10-2).

Conor Tully is the leading tackler for the Panthers, who will be making the program’s first semifinal appearance since winning the state title in 2003.

“They said it’s the best canceled vacation they’ve ever had,” Conor said of his parents.

It has been a fun ride for Tully, coming on the heels of his lost year as a junior. Sidelined all season by a broken foot, he had briefly given thought to calling it quits for football.

“I was watching from the sidelines in a boot,” Tully said. “I didn’t know if I wanted to play, But after seeing how this season has gone, I’ve decided I want to look into playing at the next level.”

It’s understandable, considering he has 92 tackles with eight for loss, an interception, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups. He also plays baseball, but football is his No. 1 sport.

Oswego’s Conor Tully (40) celebrates after tackling Lane Tech’s Shamar Pipes (81) during a Class 8A second-round playoff game at Lane Stadium in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Talia Sprague / The Beacon-News)

“I found football just watching on TV as a kid and remember thinking, ‘Wow, this is so cool. I’ve gotta play this when I grow up,’” he said.

Tully did, but it took time with his parents being wary of injury.

“Eighth grade was actually my first year of tackle football,” he said.

Then, Tully played fullback and linebacker on the freshman and sophomore teams at Oswego before focusing on defense in preparation for his junior year.

Oswego’s Caden Cooney (11) tackles Lane Tech quarterback Blake Perkins (4) during a Class 8A second-round playoff game at Lane Stadium in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Talia Sprague / The Beacon-News)

The foot diagnosis came late in preseason camp.

Tully was behind a trio of standout senior linebackers in 2024 who led the Panthers to a 9-0 regular-season record and the conference title. They lost in the second round of the playoffs.

As Oswego’s weakside linebacker, Tully now teams up with junior Caden Cooney in middle and junior Cam Loghmani on the strong side.

Last weekend’s challenge included trailing 14-0 after two possessions as Maine South took advantage of a no-huddle offense led by Indiana-bound junior quarterback Jameson Purcell.

“We were just looking at each other,” Tully said. “We weren’t pointing fingers or yelling at each other. We just knew we had to do better and did.

“We talked about the hurry-up offense all week and got the look from our scout team. When you see them run it? It’s a little faster than scout, yeah.”

Oswego’s Conor Tully (40) makes a tackle for loss against Yorkville during a Southwest Prairie West game in Oswego on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (Jeremy Toney / The Beacon-News)

Defensively, however, the Panthers got it together and produced five takeaways.

Oswego coach Brian Cooney credited the game plan of defensive coordinator John Hugunin that featured different fronts.

“Maine South is a good program,” Cooney said. “Sit in anything too long and they’re gonna find a weakness and exploit it.”

Tully, who had six tackles, showed how far he has come.

“My first varsity playing time as a senior and starting in Week 1, I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I hadn’t played since sophomore year. That first tackle I kind of settled in.”

Since then, Tully has been rock solid.

“As a junior, it’s hard to predict how much he would have played,” Cooney said. “But if he had played like he’s played this season, we would have found some way to get him on the field.

“Conor always plays a good game. He hasn’t had a bad one yet.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/18/conor-tully-oswego-ihsa-football/