With the exception of a recent dry spell – three points in two games – the Lyons Township football team has rarely struggled scoring points under coach Kurt Weinberg’s potent offensive system. The Lions got back on track offensively on Friday night with a 28-16 win at Downers Grove North.
Lyons (2-2, 1-1 West Suburban Silver) broke out of its scoring slump early by putting three touchdowns on the board to seize a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Connor Onion (12-for-22, 165 yards) threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Evan Booth and added a 44-yard scoring strike to Jamari Burks midway through the opening quarter. Lyons kept the momentum going on a recovered onside kick.
Jaime Jones (15 carries, 101 yards) capped off the Lions’ early offensive explosion with a 3-yard touchdown run at the 2:52 mark of the first quarter. Matt Harris (5 catches, 74 yards) and Burks (4 catches, 48 yards) led the speedy, deep LT receiving corps. On the night, the Lions’ balanced attack produced 287 yards of total offense – 165 passing, 137 rushing.
“Obviously we felt very good about scoring 21 points in the first quarter,” Weinberg said. “Our offensive line had probably its best game. It was nice to see Jaime run well. He always plays hard, but I thought he handled his business well [tonight] and ran with vigor.”
Downers North rallied with 16 unanswered points to pull closer at 21-16 with 8:30 remaining in the game. Quarterback Riley McGinnis (17-for-35, 228 yards) tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Tierney and Anthony Rada (93 yards rushing) scored on a 5-yard run during the Trojans’ comeback.
“Downers North kind of controlled the ball in the second and third quarters,” Weinberg said. “Once we had the lead, I thought we lost our focus a bit and got complacent. We played pretty well defensively, although we could have tackled a little better.”
Booth (12 tackles), Will Konstant (9) and Robert Mitchell (7) paced LT’s defense.
Burks clinched the Lions’ victory when he returned an interception 59 yards with 1:25 left in the game.
Lyons visits Hinsdale Central for a Noon kickoff on Saturday.
“It’s always a tough battle against Hinsdale Central,” Weinberg said. “They will be at home and fired up, but we’re going to be ready to play.”
