The Lyons Township football team stormed into halftime of the Aug. 25 season opener at Prospect with plenty of momentum.
The Lions owned a three-point lead after Tommy Newcomb made a 47-yard field goal with just 1.9 seconds left in the half.
But the Lions went scoreless in the second half as the Knights pulled away for a 24-10 victory in Mount Prospect.
“I think our guys were a little tired [in the second half]. It’s always hard to simulate what it’s like for a first game in practice.” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said. “There were a lot of good things and things we’re going to work on.”
The Knights began turning the tide in the third quarter with a 4:37 drive that culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Jack Skoog that put them ahead for good at 14-10 with 4:37 left in the period. Skoog kept the drive going with a 21-yard pass on a fourth-and-20.
Prospect then kicked a 22-yard field goal with 1:13 left in the quarter and added a 10- yard scoring run with 1:05 to go.
The LTHS defense stopped another drive at the 5.
“I think that [Prospect’s second TD] drive was a big momentum changer,” Beutjer said.
The Lions finished with 178 yards of offense, about 100 of them in the first half, and three red-zone trips that came up empty.
Quarterback Ryan Jackson compiled 139 yards on 11-for-25 passing with a touchdown and interception. He also rushed for 77 yards on 19 carries.
With 6:48 left until halftime, Jackson connected with Caleb Greer for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Newcomb kicked the extra point to tie the game 7-7.
Greer had four catches for 68 yards, including a 38-yarder. Danny Carroll had three catches for 38 yards with a 21-yarder.
Defensive leaders included Luke Wehling (9 tackles, 2 for loss), Shane Harris (6 tackles, 2 for loss), Jack McQueeney and Greer (6 tackles each), Ian Gamino (4 tackles), Eddie Tuerk (4 tackles, 1 for loss) and Jack Cheney (3 tackles).
LTHS boys soccer
Senior goalie Tyler Balon made two huge saves in the Lions’ 2-0 victory over in the Round Lake in the New Trier Invitational opener on Aug. 26. Chris Medina and Declan Kracker scored for the Lions (2-0).
LTHS girls volleyball
The Lions (4-0) swept Fenwick (25-20, 25-13), New Trier (25-18, 23-25, 15-11) and Morton (25-9, 25-5) at its LT Quad on Aug. 25.
LTHS won its season opener over Lockport 25-15, 25-20 on Aug. 22.
LTHS girls golf
Rounds from seniors Addison Watanabe (41) and Audra Porter (44) helped the Lions (2-0) edge Glenbard West 180-181 in their West Suburban Conference opener on Aug. 21.
