ESPN

MUNDELEIN, Ill. -- Prospect quarterback Miles Osei has achieved many milestones during his three-year career as a starter.

He scored 40 touchdowns as a junior last season. He has averaged 320 yards and 3 1/2 touchdowns a game this season and become one of the most highly recruited players in the state.

Osei reached another milestone Friday. He led No. 10-seeded Prospect (8-2) past No. 7 Carmel (7-3) 33-13 in the Class 7A playoffs. It was his first postseason win.

"[Not having a win in the playoffs] was definitely in the back of my mind and, now that we got the win, I'm happy," said Osei, who ran 39 times for 215 yards and four touchdowns.

The Division I prospect is used to big offensive nights like Friday. But the strong defensive help the offense received could not have come at a more opportune time.

The Knights defense came into the game having allowed 26 or more points in five contests. After making some personnel changes, the defense held Carmel to 224 total yards and forced three turnovers.

The starting left guard for Prospect's offensive line, senior Victor Rhee, made his first start of the season on defense Friday and responded with an impressive performance.

"The team needed me to step up on defense and that's what I did," said Rhee, who recovered a fumble that led to an Osei touchdown.

Rhee added defensive duties before the final regular season game, due in part to the struggles the Knights were having.

When asked about the decision to have Rhee take defensive snaps, coach Brent Pearlman said, "At this time of year, you have to put your best players on the field.

"This was a game won by the defense."

Prospect scored on their opening possession when junior running back Peter Bonahoom found the end zone on a 29 yard run. Bonahoom finished the game with 172 yards rushing, 34 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Prospect faces the winner of No. 2 Boylan and No. 15 Wheaton North.