Football coaches will talk a lot about the importance of gaining and keeping the momentum. On Friday night, No. 10 Lincoln-Way Central desperately needed to find it after Andrew scored and led 6-0 with nearly a minute left in the first half.
But that’s when Lincoln-Way Central found its edge as the visitors rallied behind senior back Anthony Bagnara’s three touchdowns, including a scoring reception with 13 seconds left in the half, to post a 21-6 non-conference win at Sandburg High School in Orland Park.
“We knew it would be a tight contest,” Lincoln-Way Central coach Rob Glielmi said. “This was our first real test of the season, and we knew this would be a game of a lot of momentum swings. That drive at the end of the first half was huge.”
It was Andrew that looked impressive early when the Thunderbolts converted a turnover into the first points of the night. An interception by Adam Novak brought the T-Bolts into Knights territory and helped set up quarterback Ryan McGuire’s 12-yard touchdown with 1:17 left in the first half.
But Bagnara took matters into his own hands and gave Lincoln-Way Central a lift with a 43-yard kickoff return to the T-Bolts’ 38. Five plays later, the Knights grabbed the lead for keeps at 7-6 when Bagnara (16 carries, 76 yards) hauled in a screen pass from quarterback Brian Dornbos (8-for-9, 59 yards, interception) and ran in the remaining 6 yards.
“We started out slowly and I just felt that we had to get into the game,” Bagnara said, who has scored eight touchdowns this season. “Our offensive line stepped up and we got the momentum shift that we desperately needed.”
The Knights did not let up from there as Bagnara capped a seven-play, 47-yard drive when he turned a fourth-and-2 into a 20-yard scoring run. Jeno Gorgio’s PAT made it 14-6 Knights.
After forcing Andrew on three-and-out, Lincoln-Way Central put the game in its pocket when Bagnara scored on a 1-yard plunge to make it 21-6 with 2:37 left in the third.
Henry Del Valle.
Up next: Friday at Bloom.
3. Naperville Central
Phil Horvath fired touchdown passes of 68 and 36 yards as the Redhawks (2-0) rolled past Stevenson 37-14. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Friday at No. 7 Wheaton Warrenville South.
More Top Picks Best Electric Unicycles For Beginners
4. Naperville North
Mike Constantino and Corey McKeon each scored two touchdowns as the Huskies (2-0) jumped to a huge lead and coasted to a 41-28 victory over St. Charles East. David Choi added a 70-yard touchdown on a fumble return in the second quarter to give Naperville North a 21-0 lead.
Kevin Mullen scored three touchdowns for St. Charles East (1-1).
Up next: Friday at home vs. Wheaton North.
5. Maine South
Neil Sherlock ran for 117 yards in 13 carries and scored two touchdowns as the defending Class 6A champions knocked off Lake Park 28-0. Tony Wnek completed 13-of-20 passes for 174 yards and a touchdown for Maine South.
Up next: Friday at Niles North.
7. Wheaton Warrenville South
After falling into a 10-point hole when it fumbled twice in the first half, Waubonsie Valley needed a big play to redeem itself in the fourth quarter.
Trailing by four points with just over 2:30 left in the game, Waubonsie Valley blocked a Wheaton Warrenville South punt and Darin Jerome fell on the ball in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in Waubonsie Valley’s 17-13 upset of the visiting Tigers.
“In the first half we put the ball on the ground twice, and that is something we cannot do,” Waubonsie Valley coach B.J. Luke said. “I’m really happy for them because we preach hanging in there. It was a good win for us.”
James Antonides scored on a 1-yard run to pull Waubonsie (1-1) within 13-10 with 4:04 remaining before stopping Wheaton on its next possession.
Dan Brauer fired two second-quarter touchdown passes to put Wheaton South up 13-3 at the half.
Up next: Friday at home vs. No. 3 Naperville Central.
9. Hubbard
Antoine Doby rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns in 14 carries and added two two-point conversions as the Greyhounds (2-0) routed Harlan 58-6. Nicholas Davis passed for two touchdowns and ran for another, while Nathan Lyles added two more TD runs for Hubbard.
Up next: Sept. 8 vs. Holy Cross at Gately Stadium.
12. Richards
Jason Orozco ran for 272 yards and six touchdowns in 20 carries as the Bulldogs (2-0) held off Morgan Park 40-27 at Gately Satdium. Jerohn Fields passed for 211 yards and two touchdowns annd rushed for a third score for Morgan Park (1-1).
Up next: Friday at home vs. Reavis.
13. Riverside-Brookfield
Tim Brasic compeleted 29-of-38 passes for 434 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Bulldogs to a 46-12 rout of Nazareth. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Friday at Lemont.
15. Hinsdale South
The Hornets rolled over host Downers Grove South 35-6 behind the lethal veer-option offense featuring fullback Greg Cozzi and quarterback Sam Louise.
The quick-hitting attack worked to perfection in the first half as Cozzi racked up 175 of his game-high 181 rushing yards and Louise rambled for 105 of his 118 yards rushing.
Cozzi started at tailback in the Hornets’ season-opening win over Rich East, with 255 pound Illinois-commitment Mike Trepina at fullback. But Hinsdale South coach Jim Kirwan decided to switch Trepina to offensive tackle and return Cozzi to fullback, where he played last season.
Cozzi busted through the Downers defense for touchdown runs of 71 yards in the first quarter to open the scoring and 43 yards with just over a minute left in the first half as the Hornets (2-0) built a 21-0 halftime lead.
Louise scored on a 9-yard run in the second quarter between Cozzi’s scores and hit Nick Delelio for a 39-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter for his only completion of the evening to open a 28-0 lead with just over four minutes left in the third quarter.
Downers North (0-2) finally scored on Erryn Cobb’s 9-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter. Cobb had 91 yards in 17 carries.
Up next: Friday at Downers Grove South.
16. Glenbard North
More Top Picks Best Computer Reading Glasses
The Panthers (2-0) scored 20 points in the second quarter and rolled to a 40-20 victory over Streamwood. Mike Malizzio ran for 122 yards and a touchdown in 16 carries to lead Glenbard North.
Up next: Friday at home vs. West Aurora.
17. Fremd
Steve Lafalce threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jeffrey Mandel and scored on a 12-yard draw play–both in the third quarter–to lead the Vikings (2-0) to a 12-7 victory over Rolling Meadows. Lafalce completed 14-of-19 passes for 128 yards and rushed for 86 yards in nine carries.
Tim Ryan tossed a 24-yard touchdown to Courtney Atkins to put Rolling Meadows (0-2) on the board in the second quarter.
Up next: Friday at Wheeling.
18. Schaumburg
The Saxons turned the ball over five times in six first-half possessions and fell to Prospect 24-8. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Sept. 8 at home vs. Hersey.
20. Prospect
George Smith threw for 91 yards, rushed for 44 yards and kicked a 31-yard field goal as the Knights defeated Schaumburg 24-8. See story, Back Page.
Up next: Friday at home vs. Barrington.