In a season of memorable scoring drives, the Lyons Township High School football team appeared on the verge of another one Friday. The Lions quickly moved down the field on their first possession in the Class 8A second-round playoff game at Fremd Friday. They reached the 5-yard line before being halted after a two-yard loss and offensive pass interference penalty. The 39-yard field-goal attempt was wide.

Fremd answered with an 80-yard touchdown drive and three more second-quarter TDs on a combined eight plays en route to a 45-21 victory in Palatine.

“I’ve been playing with almost all of these kids since I’ve been like 10 years old. I’m going to miss the brotherhood, miss playing with these boys,” said LTHS senior lineman Jimmy Hillmann of Brookfield. “I don’t think we played our best football but that’s a really good football team. I feel like we got outplayed that night.”

The Lions (8-3) had hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals for the second straight season and third time in the past four after their fourth consecutive first-round playoff victory. But the Vikings (10-1) excelled behind senior quarterback and Northwestern recruit Johnny O’Brien, who passed for 306 yards and four TDs (31, 13, 55 and 5 yards) Lineman Owen Jacubczak also is a Northwestern recruit.

The Lions returned varsity veterans like Roman Sosnovyy, Patrick Cheney and Hillmann but few players overall from the 2024 team that had an undefeated regular season.

“I’m so proud of the guys, the improvement,” said Sosnovyy, a two-way lineman who will play at Dartmouth. “We came from nothing. We brought so many guys up (to varsity), only had a few returners. I’m just so proud of the way the guys have stepped up. Nobody believed in us. We exceeded all expectations.”

 At times, the Lions moved the ball behind the passing of senior quarterback Jack Slightom (26-for-41, 263 yards, 2 TDs and interceptions). But their usually dependable running attack was limited to 35 yards on 16 carries and negative-1 yard including three sacks. That kept the Lions from their consistent, time-eating drives as so often this season to keep O’Brien and Fremd’s offense off the field. 

“We lost to a very good football team,” said LTHS coach Jon Beutjer, a former high school and college quarterback. “I told (O’Brien) he’s special. Definitely we didn’t get to him too much. They do a good job of protecting him, but he gets rid of the football so quickly. The hardest thing is we didn’t play our best game. But again I’m proud of this team.” For them to beat Downers Grove North and York two times, we had a lot of guys battling through injuries. I’m proud of the seniors and all of the hard work they put into this program. But against a team like (Fremd), you’ve got to play good football.”

The Vikings’ 28-0 lead was aided by the two interceptions at the LTHS 22 and 40 on a third-and-21 bomb. 

LTHS scored its first TD on a 78-yard, 11-play drive aided by a pass interference penalty. Owen Matela, who impressively caught 13 catches with 145 yards, had a 6-yard TD reception 1:13 before halftime. The Vikings responded by making a 27-yard field goal in the rain as time expired to lead 31-7 at the half. 

EJ Kuhlman (28 yards on 14 carries) had a 12-yard TD run on the Lions’ first possession of the second half followed by two Fremd TDs.
Kuhlman also had a 17-yard TD reception with 23.9 seconds left. Patrick Cheney had a team-high five tackles with one for loss. Brady Koren recovered a fumble on the Vikings’ first drive at the end of a long carry by O’Brien. 

“[O’Brien] is a stud. That’s about all you can say. He’s a baller,” Cheney said. “Our seniors helped lead this team. We beat very good teams throughout the year and we just stuck through it. I’ve been on varsity for three years. I’ve lost playoff games, won playoff games. I’m going to miss the bond.” 

Slightom ended the season passing for 1,824 yards and 18 TDs. Matela (427 yards, 5 TDs) and Grant Smith (425 yards, 4 TDs) were leading receivers. Kuhlman rushed for 1,104 yards and 15 TDs, including his single-game school-record 245 yards in the first victory over York. 

Tackle leaders were Cole Harris (62) and Lou Ratcliffe (50). Cheney and Ratcliffe each had eight tackles for loss and Sosnovyy six. 

Key fourth-quarter drives played a role in victories over Joliet Catholic and Downers North. The playoff victory was perhaps the most satisfying. LTHS beat York for the second straight week, this time 24-21 after an end-zone interception and drive that resulted in a last-second field goal by senior Ryland Avants. The Dukes eliminated the Lions in the 2023 playoffs on a last-second field goal at Bennett Field.

“I remember my sophomore year, me, Roman and Pat (York) sent us home and the seniors home. It felt really good to get a win back for the guys that lost two years ago,” Hillmann said.

Nazareth/Fenwick football

Nazareth Academy (10-1) and Fenwick (8-3) have advanced to the 6A quarterfinals.

The Roadrunners beat Wheaton Warrenville South 28-7 and will play Lake Zurich (9-2) at home Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Friars defeated Rolling Meadows 45-7 and will play at Triton College Saturday at 1 p.m.

Nazareth and Fenwick would meet in the state semifinals.

Quarterback Jackson Failla passed for 142 yards Saturday. Charles Calhoun and Justin Watson rushed for 199 and 53 yards, respectively, and two TDs apiece. Trenton Walker had four catches for 80 yards.