Jake Arthur loves his view in Lincoln-Way East’s offense.
“We have three running backs that can do anything, and we have a physical offensive line,” said Arthur, the Griffins’ senior quarterback. “There’s not much more you can ask for.”
Arthur sure couldn’t ask for more Saturday.
Lincoln-Way East scored touchdowns on all four first-half possessions — Arthur was at quarterback for three of them — and the Griffins rolled from there to a 35-13 win over Waubonsie Valley in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs in Frankfort.
Arthur, who was 15-for-20 for 119 yards, completed his first eight passes. He took in a 1-yard TD run for the Griffins’ first score. Later Arthur threw a 14-yard TD pass to Ken Anderson in the final seconds of the first half for a 28-6 lead.
Arthur added a 4-yard TD run in the second half for the Griffins (9-2), who advance to host Maine South next weekend. Waubonsie (6-5), who upset second-seeded Hinsdale Central in the first round, only managed one TD until the game’s final seconds.
“That was our best effort of the year, no doubt,” Griffins coach Rob Zvonar said. “It was the signature win that we needed.”
Nigel Muhammad ran for 76 yards and a 1-yard TD. Lincoln-Way East has outscored its last three opponents 126-28 since a loss to Bradley-Bourbonnais.
“That loss was one of the greatest things that could have happened to us, honestly,” Arthur said. “We realized that we can take nothing for granted.”
Lemont 42, Danville 10: Spencer Nagel (8-for-13, 203 yards) threw four TD passes — three of them to Steve Fleming — to pace Lemont (11-0) in Class 6A. Jake Kirkman tacked on 108 yards and a TD on 12 carries.
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown. Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed.