Lyons holds on to claim conference title

L. TOWNSHIP          0 0 7 0 7
DOWNERS GROVE S. 0 0 0 0 0

Eight is great but clearly not enough in the estimation of a very hungry Lyons Township football team.

That’s the number of victories the Lions (8-1, 5-1 West Suburban (Silver) Conference) finished the regular season with after Friday night’s 7-0 win over Downers Grove North. The critical road victory also clinched a share of the conference championship for LT. York also went 5-1 in conference; however, LT defeated the Dukes 32-8 earlier in the year, serving as an unofficial tiebreaker.

Now, the Lions are focused on the number five-that’s the amount of playoff wins they’ll need to capture a state championship.

“This was a big win for us,” LT coach Jack Derning said. “Downers [Grove North] is always tough. Anytime you can come into their place and get a win, that’s an accomplishment.”

Engaged in a defensive tussle with the Trojans, LT scored its lone touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Ed Viliunas (9-for-14, 143 yards) to Mike Anderson at the 7:45 mark of the third quarter.

Anderson rushed nine times for 55 yards and caught four passes for 53 yards. Viliunas added 68 yards via the ground, while LT receivers Peter Conn (3 catches, 20 yards) and Matt Boudreau (2 catches, 70 yards) also chipped in offensively.

On defense, the Lions forced a pair of Trojans turnovers en route to LT’s fourth shutout of the season. This fall, the Lions have outscored their opponents 213-67 in nine games.

The Lions, seeded No. 3 in the Class 8A playoffs, take on No. 14 seed Neuqua Valley Friday at 7 p.m. in the opening round of the postseason.

“Neuqua Valley is a very good, physical team,” Derning said. “They started a bit slow [at 1-3] but have rebounded well. They have some good skill players and an aggressive defense.”

The Wildcats (5-4), who won four of their last five games to qualify for the playoffs, rely on explosive running back Anton Wilkins. In nine games, Wilkins has rushed for 1,415 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.

If the Lions defeat Neuqua Valley, a second-round clash awaits against either perennial power Naperville Central (6-3) or Lincoln-Way East (7-2), a state semifinalist last year who knocked off LT 26-12 in the first round.

“I think we are in the toughest playoff bracket in the state, but it’s like that every year,” Derning said. “We have a few guys banged up. For the most part though, we’re healthy and ready to go.”