Record-setters Stamm, Pisciotti help LTHS back to quarterfinals

Already the most decorated wide receiver in Lyons Township High School football history, senior Travis Stamm still was determined to contribute more his fourth varsity season. A 2023 part-timer in the defensive secondary, Stamm also wanted to start at cornerback. 

“I was pretty adamant about it. I told our defensive coordinator the day our [2023] season ended,” Stamm said. “[LTHS head coach Jon Beutjer] was a little shaky at the start of it. He didn’t know if I could do it. That’s a lot of conditioning, but I told him I’m going to be in shape and I’m going to be out there.” 

Now playing nearly every snap from scrimmage, Stamm seemed to be around every thrown ball Friday against Downers Grove South in the second round of the Class 8A state playoffs.

He not only caught three passes in senior quarterback Dom Pisciotti’s record-setting 323-yard, five-touchdown passing game but also had three interceptions, including his second pick-six interception return for a touchdown this season. 

The undefeated Lions (11-0) won 63-20 in Western Springs.

“Overall, offense and defense, this is the greatest game I’ve ever had,” said Stamm, committed to Illinois State. “I’m just glad it came at a big moment. We always stress that, to peak at the right time, and playoffs are coming. It’s time to play the best football we have all year.”

LTHS faces a stiff home quarterfinal test at 7 p.m., Friday against Naperville Central (10-1). The Redhawks and Lions were No. 2 and 3 in the final Associated Press regular-season rankings. 

The Lions are trying to reach the state semifinals for the first time. This is their second quarterfinal appearance in three seasons and third including 1987, the last time the Lions won the West Suburban Conference Silver Division outright until this season.

Naperville Central opened the season beating Hinsdale Central 24-13 and only has lost to top-rated Lincoln-Way East 28-7, Oct. 25. The Lions won 21-16 at Hinsdale Central Sept. 13. 

“Two years ago [the quarterfinals] was a celebration. It was something different in the program, but this year we’re focused on winning the next game,” LTHS senior linebacker Shane Harris said. “Two years ago, we were just happy to be there. This year, we’re going for more.” 

The Lions started slow Friday, leading 28-14 at halftime, before unleashing a 28-point third quarter to create a 40-point running clock at 56-14.

“Our kids kind of responded and settled down,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said. “We did some uncharacteristic things penalty-wise and just made some mistakes in the first half we can clean up. But overall I thought we had a strong second half.” 

Of the 23 balls caught between the Lions and Mustangs (8-3) without penalties, Stamm had 11 of them. Offensively, Stamm had eight catches for 159 yards with TDs of 21, 26 and 30 yards. Already, Stamm holds documented outright LTHS receiving records for career receptions (142), TDs (28) and yards (2,037) and single-season (57) and single-game (15) receptions. 

His three interceptions Friday and eight for the season also are believed to be records. For the second time this season, he had an interception Friday nullified by a penalty, but his second also came after linebacker JD Mahoney just missed a pick on the previous play. Stamm returned his third 18 yards for a TD and 48-14 advantage. 

“The win was awesome,” Stamm said. “No LT team has made it past the quarterfinals. That’s the target this week.”

Running back Danny Carroll (20 carries, 160 yards) initiated the scoring with a 98-yard TD run and an 11-yard score for a 21-7 lead. Pisciotti set single-game school records for passing yards and TDs. Officially, he was 12-for-14 passing also with TDs of 67 yards to Mack Long and 26 to Brady Rusk. After an interception on his first attempt, Pisciotti completed seven straight for 132 yards and two TDs.

“It was definitely one of our better games (passing). Travis definitely had himself a game, too,” Pisciotti said. 

“[With Stamm], Mack, the rest of the receivers, I have a ton of confidence out there, just trusting my guys, doing my job, getting the guys the ball. [The interception] was a good play by the linebacker. We moved down from that, our next-play mentality. I think what sparked it was Carroll’s 98-yard touchdown run.” 

Tanner Rivera had a late 38-yard, pick-six TD. Mack and Miko Zecevic had pass breakups and Will Tobin and Nicky Arquilla had quarterback hurries. An untouched Harris recorded a 13-yard sack late in the third quarter.

“Even though we were up big, it felt really good to get my first sack this season,” Harris said. “[Lineman Roman Sosnovyy] held up the tackle and guard so that got me free.” 

Nazareth football

The Roadrunners (9-2) advanced to their seventh straight state quarterfinals with a 42-20 Class 5A second-round victory over Woodstock North, Saturday.

Nazareth, the defending 5A champions and No. 1 in the final 5A AP poll, plays at 1 p.m., Saturday, at No. 7 Rochelle (10-1), a 38-6 winner over Benet Nov. 8 that only has lost to undefeated No. 2 Sycamore. The Roadrunners beat Benet 62-14 Oct. 18.

Nazareth opened a 42-0 lead on Charles Calhoun’s 1-yard TD run with 7:55 left in the third quarter. 

Quarterback Logan Malachuk started with three TD passes to Jake Cestone (56, 14 and 20 yards), had a 19-yard TD run and threw a 2-yard TD pass to Jimmy Penley for a 35-0 halftime advantage.