CHAMPAIGN — It was a painful end to a painful season for Lincoln-Way East’s Jake Scianna.
The 6-foot, 220-pound senior linebacker managed to be the heart and soul of the Griffins despite playing this fall with a torn right ACL. Few people knew what he was going through.
“It happened on June 1 at the Kansas State camp,” Scianna said of the injury. “I was having a great camp, and the last play of the camp, I got twisted up and I felt a pop.”
That pop, plus results from an MRI, led his doctors to suggest season-ending surgery. They also offered the option of playing with the tear, even though that would be a risk.
Scianna, indeed, took that risk. And Lincoln-Way East’s season ended Saturday night with a 13-3 loss to Loyola at Memorial Stadium in the Class 8A state championship game.
Carter Nair’s 30-yard field goal with 4:20 left in the first half was the only scoring for the Griffins (13-1), who finished with 196 yards on 57 plays.
Junior quarterback Braden Tischer completed 11 of 21 passes for 81 yards and also ran for 59 yards, but Loyola (13-1) won its fourth state title. The Griffins were seeking their fourth.
After 14 games and numerous practices playing in pain, however, Scianna got his chance to play on the University of Illinois’ turf. He’s finally scheduled for knee surgery Wednesday.
“I took that risk,” Scianna said of playing during the season. “Every day, I just worked hard. I knew there would be obstacles. I iced my knee after practice and took care of my body.
“Honestly, after games it hurt, and sometimes in games it would hurt, but the adrenaline picks up and it helps me.”
Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar admired Scianna’s grit throughout the season.
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“What he has done this year with these circumstances is amazing,” Zvonar said. “He played at an all-state level and battled through an injury most kids would have had their season ended.”
Heading into the final game, Scianna led the Griffins with 87 tackles, with seven tackles for losses and two sacks. He also had two interceptions.
He was named to multiple all-state teams, including by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association.
For Zvonar, it was special having Scianna anchor his defense.
“He’s a coach on the field,” Zvonar said. “It’s kind of a strange way of saying it, but I think he gives the rest of the players a little comfort level when he is out there.”
In last year’s state quarterfinals, Scianna and the Griffins’ defense stood out in a 3-0 loss to the Ramblers. It was the lowest scoring game for Loyola since Sept. 14, 2018, a string of 39 games.
The Ramblers made sure right away that wasn’t going to happen Saturday. Their first play on offense was a flea flicker, with Jake Stearney hitting Declan Forde for an 80-yard touchdown.
The Griffins erased the shutout as Nair kicked the field goal to culminate a long 19-play, 57-yard drive. Searney and Forde connected again in the third quarter.
Loyola averaged 387 yards a game heading into Saturday’s game but was held to 199 yards, with only 119 after the opening trick play.
Despite the loss, even looking back, Scianna said he would make the same choice and take the same risks again.
“I was very blessed I could play with my boys this year,” Scianna said. “I just hope I made them proud.
“I wouldn’t have changed anything this year — God, no. The players and coaching staff helped me get through it, and I wouldn’t take it back for the world.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.