Senior captain Brady Rusk made a healthy return for the Lyons Township High School football team’s homecoming game against rival Hinsdale Central Saturday. Rusk sprained the MCL in his right knee during the summer and aggravated the injury against Wheaton Warrenville South, Sept. 5.
After sitting out last week, Rusk played as usual at linebacker and receiver wearing a brace.
“Physically, it felt great,” Rusk said. “I think it’s mainly healed now, but the brace is like the cherry on the top. It brings everything together.”
Emotionally, however, Rusk and the Lions couldn’t have been more dejected.
The Lions’ 29-26 loss not only was their first of the season but first to the Red Devils since 2021.
The Lions (3-1, 0-1 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division) also led most of the way, going ahead 19-14 before the Red Devils (3-1, 1-1) scored back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter on a 90-yard run and 17-yard run with 3:44 left.
Rusk did score on a 6-yard TD pass from quarterback Jack Slightom with 47.6 seconds left and Ryland Avants added the extra point. But Hinsdale Central recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
“They just had a couple, two, three explosive plays that changed the momentum and pace of the game. I think we had plays of that nature. It just didn’t go our way,” Rusk said. “I think everybody gave it their all and that’s all we can do. I’d say we’re very determined. We’re angry and we want to win. That’s our goal next week.”
Lyons Township’s Jack Lee (39) and Brady Koren (3) lead the gang tackle of Hinsdale Central’s James Skokna (7) during a West Suburban Conference football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Cole Harris (21) and Lou Ratcliffe (1) tackle Hinsdale Central’s Dominic Tresslar (22) during a West Suburban Conference football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s EJ Kuhlman (20) takes the handoff and rushes the ball against Hinsdale Central during a West Suburban Conference football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston) 
Lyons Township’s Roman Sosnovyy (55) tries to work past Hinsdale Central’s Luke Zajicek (65) to get to quarterback Riley Contreras (1) during a West Suburban Conference football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025 in Western Springs. (Steve Johnston)
LTHS, the defending outright Silver champions behind a 9-0 regular season, still controls its conference destiny. The Lions now need to spoil the homecoming of first-place Glenbard West (4-0, 2-0) Saturday in Glen Ellyn. The Hilltoppers won 35-21 over Downers Grove North (3-1, 1-1), which beat Hinsdale Central 9-7, Sept. 12.
“I told the team I still think we’re a really good football team and we’re going to watch the film and continue to get better,” LTHS coach Jon Beutjer said.
“There’s a lot of things I think we could have done better and I think that’s what’s really hard. Our seniors have worked so hard and I know this game means a lot to them. I know it means a lot to Hinsdale as well but we feel like we kind fell apart in the second half and just didn’t execute and do our job. We felt like [our players] were playing with heart and fought but there were some plays where we just didn’t execute.”
LTHS junior running back EJ Kuhlman again was a workhorse, rushing 29 times for 173 yards with 13- and 5-yard TDs and also had 54 receiving yards. Avants converted a 24–yard field goal just before halftime.
Slightom was 20-for-38 passing for 249 yards. Owen Matela caught five passes for 69 yards. Defensive leaders included Lou Ratcliffe (7 tackles, 3 for loss) and Patrick Cheney and Cole Harris (5 tackles each).
“It’s kind of something that goes without saying. We all know we have to answer back and respond,” Rusk said. “This week we’re going to come in guns blazing and taking it to Glenbard West. That’s how we can control our destiny, working had in practice and focusing on our next opponent.”
The Lions led 17-14 at halftime and had two strong chances to pull ahead by two scores. In the third quarter, they went for it on fourth-and-3 at the 4 but Slightom’s pass to a tightly defended Grant Smith was unsuccessful.
After a three-and-out, the Red Devils struggled with the punt snap. Ratcliffe led the group tackle in the end zone for a safety and 19-14 LTHS advantage.
LTHS then reached the Hinsdale Central 25 but Slightom’s pass was deflected by the Red Devils and intercepted at the 10. On the next play, running back Dominic Tresslar broke free down the left sideline for his 90-yard TD. The two-point conversion put the Red Devils ahead 22-19.
After an LTHS three-and-out, Hinsdale Central followed with a 55–yard scoring drive and quarterback Riley Contreras’ 17-yard TD run. Jack Lesniewicz made a 24-yard diving catch at the 18 along the LTHS sideline on third-and-23.
“You have to give them credit. They beat us. They were better than us today but it’s hard because we felt like we were in a position to win in certain situations,” Beutjer said. “We had an opportunity to put them away in the second half and we didn’t capitalize. They got an interception, but then we’ve got to get a stop. Again, we’ve got a lot of young guys out there that haven’t played (much varsity) football. We’re going to get better. This loss doesn’t define who we are.”