Lyons, a playoff team a year ago and one expected to contend in one of the state’s toughest conferences, didn’t need much help in its season opener Friday night at Warren.
But the Blue Devils gave the Lions plenty.
More Top Picks Nas
Warren senior quarterback Luke Schmitt was intercepted four times, once in the end zone and once at the 2-yard line. Together with a late muffed punt, it doomed the hosts, who dropped their season opener 19-7.
“I don’t want to take away anything from Lyons,” Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. “They came and beat us and when you win, you win.
“We had our opportunities, just like last year (a 24-0 loss). We were just a little lethargic in areas, made some dumb penalties. And that’s going to get you against a good program.”
The Blue Devils were their own worst enemy in the first half as Schmitt was picked off twice — the second time by Lyons’ Thomas Jackson, who returned it to the Warren 5. One play later the Lions took the first lead of the game as Reggie Terrell took the direct snap and scored untouched for the 7-0 lead with 9 minutes, 6 seconds left in the half.
But Schmitt (20 carries, 104 yards) redeemed himself two series later. He led the Devils on a 12-play, 60-yard drive, rushing four times for 17 yards. His 3-yard TD run on a fake dive and keeper tied the score 7-7 just before the half.
Lyons ended up getting all the points it needed on the opening drive of the second half. Quarterback Ben Bryant (11-for-12, 184 yards) led the Lions on a five-play, 82-yard drive, capping it by hitting Brandon Fischer on a bubble screen that turned into a 42-yard touchdown and a 13-7 lead.
Schmitt (14-for-27, 162 yards passing) appeared to be leading his team to a possible lead on the next possession, moving to the Lyons 17 before Hasahn Austin snared a potential touchdown out of the air for a touchback.
The Warren defense, which posted three sacks and four tackles for loss, pinned Lyons at its own 3 early in the fourth. But the punt return was muffed and recovered by Lyons’ Antwane Thigpen at the Lyons 33. Two plays later, Bryant again hit Riley Koes on a short sideline pass and Koes turned it into a 65-yard touchdown and a 19-7 lead with 7:49 remaining.
Schmitt again rallied the Devils, moving to the Lyons 7 with just under six minutes left. But Austin once again stepped in front of a pass at the goal line for the interception before stepping out at the 2.
“Things weren’t going our way. We just need to come back, forget this loss and go after New Trier,” said Schmitt, referencing next week’s opponent. “They made big plays in the end zone. Our run game was wonderful, but our passing game just wasn’t all there. At times it was, but they just made athletic plays on our wrong decisions.”