The Monday after the Lyons Township High School football team’s 2023 season ended with a second-round loss to York in the Class 8A state playoffs, the returnees immediately spoke of higher aspirations.
“We went into a classroom and said we’re going to win a conference championship,” LTHS senior center/defensive lineman Cooper Komsthoeft said. “We said we’re going to practice every day as hard as we possibly can. And we did what we set out to do.”
Almost fittingly, the Lions fulfilled those words with impressive action Friday at York. With a dominant 24-7 victory, the Lions not only celebrated their first West Suburban Conference Silver Division title since 2010 but their first outright title since the 1987 team that reached the 6A state quarterfinals when there were only six playoff classes.
The Lions (8-0, 6-0 in Silver) can complete their first undefeated and untied regular season since 1950 with a home victory Friday over winless Proviso East.
“For us to win the conference, it’s a big deal. There’s a lot of great teams,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said.
“The seniors said this team can be something special, but we’ve got to work. That’s what I’m most proud of, that the senior leadership is so impressive. They care about each other. They play for each other.”
The victory was especially sweet for senior running back Danny Carroll, who rushed for all three touchdowns and 159 yards on 31 carries. Senior AJ Vavrik kicked a 31-yard field goal on the opening drive.
Carroll now has 945 rushing yards. Last season, he suffered a sprained MCL during the regular-season Homecoming loss to York and was injured for the playoffs.
“Kind of my revenge game in a way,” Carroll said. “It really does feel great, especially after our two losses last year. It really meant something to come out and show what we’ve got the whole year.”
For two-way starting linemen Komsthoeft and senior Tyler Chambers, it was the best of both worlds. The defense didn’t allow a touchdown. The Dukes (6-2, 3-2) closed to 10-7 early in the third quarter on a 45-yard interception return.
Senior Josh Gutierrez added to his earlier interception by recovering a fumble on York’s next possession. LTHS didn’t allow a first down the rest of the way.
“It’s a credit to our defensive coaches and everyone,” Komsthoeft said. “We just stood up and gave it to them. We wanted it more than they did.”
Tackle leaders were Gutierrez (six), Ayman Soltan (five) and Pat Cheney (four). Komsthoeft even savored a sack.
“Our student section was awesome. I just held out my arms and embraced the moment a little bit,” he said.
The Lions actually got stronger as the game progressed. The offense finally opened the gap on TDs with 9:48 and 5:50 left following missed field goals of 43 and 29 yards in the third quarter.
“[Playing two ways] takes a lot out of us but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do for the team. I’m gassed right now,” Chambers said.
“[Carroll] is a stud and when we run the ball, it feels safe with him because we know he’s going to make a play.”
LTHS went ahead 10-0 after Gutierrez’s midfield interception gave the Lions the ball at the York 43. Carroll scored from the 3 after converting a fourth-and-1 at the 8.
On the second TD drive, Carroll rushed all five plays, including a 38-yarder to the 20 on first-and-23 and the 4-yard score. After a fourth-down sack by 64 gave LTHS the ball at the 20, Carroll rushed three more times for another score with his TD from 14 yards out.
After Travis Stamm’s late interception, Carroll did a victory back flip while the offense ran out the clock.
“I got yelled at because I fell in Week 2,” Carroll said. “Coach Beutjer told me not to do it again but after a conference championship win, I think I had to.”
Quarterback Dom Pisciotti was 14-for-24 passing for 131 yards mainly to Mack Long (6 catches, 62 yards) and Stamm (4 catches, 52 yards).
RBHS football
Any kind of state playoffs for the Bulldogs begins Friday. After losing 41-10 at West Chicago, Oct. 18, the Bulldogs (4-4, 2-3 in Upstate Eight East) must upset conference champion Glenbard East (7-0, 5-1) Friday at home for any chance of making the playoffs. The Rams have beaten every conference opponent by at least 33 points.
At West Chicago (5-3, 3-2), the Bulldogs closed to 14-10 on John Bielobradek’s 24-yard field goal in the second quarter. The Wildcats scored two more touchdowns before halftime for a 27-10 lead and added two more in the third quarter.
RBHS quarterback Giancarlo Garcia was 13-for-23 passing for 150 yards with a 20-yard TD pass to Nick Rivera. Xavier Mrozik-DeJesus caught four passes for 45 yards and Jacob Retana had 51 yards on 13 carries.
Defensive leaders included Max Strong (20 tackles, 7 solos), Michael Kallas (6 tackles, 3 solos), Warren Mason (10 tackles, 2 solos), Kaleb McCottry (tackle for loss) and Myron O’Bea and Carter Shelby (fumble recoveries).
