Junior EJ Kuhlman doesn’t mind his often heavy workload as running back for the Lyons Township High School football team. He thrives on it.
“I feel like throughout the game my confidence definitely increases. It feels a lot easier to run,” Kuhlman said. “The O[ffensive] line does a great job the entire game. Especially wearing down the D[efensive] line makes it a whole lot easier.”
With the game on the line Friday, Kuhlman had more than enough energy for his 31st and final carry. The 1-yard touchdown run with 15.1 seconds left gave the Lions a wild 24-20 victory over Downers Grove North in Western Springs just after the Trojans moved ahead 20-17 with 2:43 to play by returning a blocked punt for a touchdown.
“Getting down in the last three minutes, coming back, was a great feeling for sure,” said Kuhlman, who had two TDs and gained 151 yards. “I think this is probably one of the best wins this season besides Joliet Catholic (24-14 in Aug. 29 opener). I think we were deciding between running and passing, but Rusk is a great guy to run behind and coach was pretty confident running behind Brady and the big guys up front. It was great to see the hole open up and get into the end zone.”
On their final drive, the Lions (6-2, 3-2 in West Suburban Conference Silver Division) covered 63 yards on 10 plays. Quarterback Jack Slightom was 5 of 8 passing with 57 of his 155 passing yards, including four completions for 44 yards to junior Tyler Stamm.
“It’s pretty sweet. I knew we were going to do something special that drive because every Thursday we have the two-minute drill,” Slightom said. “We executed on the last drive. It’s pretty electric. [Stamm] got open seriously every time.”
The game ended with sophomore Ian Collins making his third interception of the game and the Lions’ sixth takeaway in beating the Trojans (6-2, 4-2) for the seventh year in a row. The Lions play host to York (6-2, 4-1) in the regular-season finale.
“It was crazy. It was a great game. I’m just happy we came out with a win,” Collins said. “The momentum totally shifted but we trust our defense, our offense. Our offense went down, scored and then we just shut it down.”
The Lions led 7-5 at halftime appeared in control after opening a 17-5 lead with 5:24 left on a 36-yard field goal by Ryland Avants. But the Trojans answered with an 80-yard TD drive behind quarterback and Minnesota recruit Owen Lausu and then scored on the blocked punt followed by a two-point conversion.
The winning drive also included a 14-yard catch by Grant Smith (6 catches, 65 yards) and Slightom’s 5-yard scramble to the 1.
“I couldn’t feel any bone in my body,” Slightom said. “I was just cruising. But everyone else was, too.”
Tackle leaders were Lou Ratcliffe (nine), Pearson (five) and four each by Patrick Cheney (tackle for loss) and Cole Harris, who had a third-quarter interception.
The defense ended other drives with Collins interceptions at the 1 and 24 just before halftime, a lost fumble recovered at the 2 by Anthony Pearson and Brady Koren’s forced and recovered fumble at the 4 at the end of a pass play from the LTHS 43. The Trojans also missed a 27-yard field goal on their second possession after converting a 29-yarder on their first for a 3-0 lead.
“[The defense] played absolutely spectacular. There was nothing more they could have done,” Slightom said. “Six turnovers, changes of possession, just put our offense in a great position. They, for the most part, won us that game.”
Kuhlman’s first 1-yard TD gave the Lions a 7-3 lead in the first quarter but a high shotgun snap resulted in a safety 9:48 before halftime. Sam Froelich caught a 5-yard TD pass from Slightom in the third quarter for a 14-5 lead.