NEUQUA VALLEY 7 21 3 0 31
LYONS TOWNSHIP 0 7 7 0 14
During a memorable season of few, if any regrets, Lyons Township probably wishes it could briefly borrow a time machine to alter a disastrous six-minute stretch during their 31-14 loss to Neuqua Valley in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs on Friday.
Playing in a steady downpour all night, Neuqua Valley rained on the Lions’ postseason parade at Bennett Field as the Wildcats reeled off 21 unanswered points in the final six minutes of the first half to seize a 28-7 advantage at the break.
After LT quarterback Ed Viliunas rolled out for a 6-yard touchdown pass to Deonte Brown to tie the score at 7-7 with 7:41 left in the second quarter, Neuqua Valley’s Alex Lincoln tossed two scoring strikes of 34 yards and 20 yards to 6-foot-4 wideout Conner Yearian (6 receptions, 102 yards). Nathaniel Pena (17 carries, 106 yards) added a 5-yard touchdown run to put the Lions down even further. Neuqua Valley standout Anton Wilkins, who was injured in the first half, rushed 12 times for 100 yards.
“Neuqua Valley came up with plays on third down and we didn’t,” said Lyons Township coach Jack Derning after the game. “We had some momentum in the second half, but Number 27 (Pena) stepped up for them. Our kids kept fighting, but Neuqua Valley had a nice drive after our second score that was big for them.”
Three minutes into the third quarter, LT (8-2) closed the gap to 28-14 on a 3-yard touchdown run from Viliunas.
Nick Schneider’s 21-yard field goal with 2:14 left in the quarter extended the Wildcats lead back to 31-14.
Mike Anderson led the Lions with 81 rushing yards on 12 attempts. Defensively, LT returned to form in the second half allowing only three points. Alex Sewall, Mike Kogut and Mike Callaghan all had interceptions.
“Coming into this season, we had some questions because we lost a lot of starters,” said LT linebacker Terry Devereux. “This year, our defense has been as good statistically as any LT defense. Overall, we can’t be disappointed with an 8-2 season.”
For the game, Neuqua Valley (6-4) clearly won the statistical battle: the Wildcats out rushed LT 204 yards to 83 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per play to LT’s 2.4 and totaled more first downs, 17 to 9.
“Tonight we didn’t have our best game,” said LT offensive tackle Jeff Adams. “Giving up big plays killed us in the first half. Right now, it’s a disappointing feeling but we accomplished a lot this season”
Derning echoed his 6-6, 265-pound offensive tackle’s sentiments.
“I feel bad for our seniors because they are a really special class,” Derning said. “These players and their parents have been fun to work with and it has been a great season.”
Next year, the Lions return several team key players in Deonte Brown, Matt Lakis, David Bellisario, Yuri Cholewick and Ethan Guenther who will try to lead LT to a second consecutive West Suburban (Silver) Conference title.