Lockport hasn’t had a winning season since 2011, but the Porters are well on their way to ending that drought.
The Porters came from behind Friday night for a 16-14 SouthWest Suburban victory over Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.
The win kept Lockport (3-0, 1-0) undefeated, and defensive back Eric Jungheim was thrilled.
“This is something big. We haven’t done this in a long time,” said Jungheim, who had an interception in the third quarter and a fumble recovery in the fourth. “We’re not going to stop now.”
The Porters have won six straight regular-season games dating to last year.
After trailing 7-6 at halftime, Lockport took the lead for the first time on a 12-yard touchdown run by Tavares Moore, who found daylight up the middle with 6:29 left in the third quarter.
The Porters defense held Central on fourth-and-2 at the Knights 11 early in the fourth.
Lincoln-Way Central (2-1, 1-1) closed within two points with 3:35 left in the fourth quarter when Hunter Campbell threw a 6-yard TD pass to Devin Smith. But Moore’s five carries for 27 yards and a pair of first downs helped the Porters run out the clock.
“Don’t get pushed back — that was the first thing on my mind,” Moore said of Lockport’s ground game. “Always look to get positive yards.”
Moore finished with 168 yards on 31 carries.
Lockport quarterback Ben Davis kicked field goals of 24, 27 and 39 yards. His 24-yarder with 6:19 to play in the fourth was the eventual game-winner.
Lincoln-Way Central took a 7-6 lead at halftime on a 65-yard run by Mitch Hosman, which came at the end of the first quarter.
The Knights were hurt by penalties on their first two possessions, getting flagged five times on their first 10 plays. Late in the second quarter, Campbell was intercepted by Zachary Reese at the Porters 23. Reese returned it 18 yards to the 41.
After another Knights penalty, Lockport got a 26-yard run by Moore and a 19-yard scamper by Davis, bringing the ball down to the Knights 22. But on two consecutive pass plays, Davis couldn’t connect with his receivers as Bobby Palermo provided smothering coverage.
Lincoln-Way Central’s defense slowed Lockport’s offensive game in the first half. Peyton Nigro and Nick Degregorio had interceptions for the Knights in the first quarter, and Mike Cepolski and Emilio Zendejas added tackles for losses.
But it was Lockport’s defense that was the difference in the second half.
“By the start of the game we came out with fire in our eyes and just never stopped,” Jungheim said.
“Our defense has played really tough in three games,” Lockport coach Dan Starkey said. “We’ve shut the run down. This was a big challenge. Our kids like to compete, they’re going into every game prepared and that’s what we’re excited about.”
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Bremen 47, T.F. North 12: Roc Smith ran for two TDs (1, 25 yards) and Christian Williams scored on a 60-yard fumble return to spark Bremen (2-1, 1-0 SSC Blue).
Brother Rice 45, Aurora Christian 6: Dino Borrelli threw three TD passes to Ricky Smalling, the longest a 72-yarder, to pace Brother Rice (3-0).
De La Salle 47, Robeson 0: Dorian Woods (10-for-15, 144 yards) passed for three TDs and ran for another score to lead De La Salle (3-0).
Richards 38, Eisenhower 10: Pat Doyle scored four TDs for Richards (1-2, 1-0 SSC Red).
St. Laurence 49, Bishop McNamara 7: Fayezon Smart had two first-half TD runs and also brought the second-half kickoff back 95 yards for a score to power St. Laurence (2-1, 1-0 Catholic White).
Shepard 24, Evergreen Park 7: Nieko Carter scored on an 81-yard kickoff return and a 29-yard reception to lift Shepard (3-0, 1-0 SSC Red).
West Lafayette (Ind.) 14, Crete-Monee 13: Creo Argue scored on an 84-yard interception return and Mileak Harper added a 51-yard TD run for Crete-Monee (1-2).
Wheaton Academy 46, Chicago Christian 6: Henry Light scored on an 8-yard TD run for Chicago Christian (1-2).
Bob Hurst is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Freelancer Josh Krockey contributed.