Senior running back Sam Andreotti knew it was his time to be the workhorse in Lemont’s backfield.
Especially since star running back Albert Kunickis was out for Friday night’s game after being ejected last week against Nazareth.
“Albert always carries me,” Andreotti said. “He always tells me what to do. He’s always there. Even in this game, he was coaching me and helping me out. He told me to hit that outside zone. It was great.
“When I knew the opportunity was there for me, I knew I had to run hard just like Albert does. I ran the ball hard.”
Indeed, Andreotti ran hard for 172 yards on 18 carries, including touchdowns of 65 and 55 yards, as visiting Lemont topped Shepard 37-13 in a South Suburban crossover.
Lemont (3-0) spoiled the debut of the new turf field for the Astros (0-3).
Andreotti said he has long been inspired by Kunickis, who has excelled at Lemont in spite of being born without a right hand and forearm.
“He’s always been a role model ever since I came out here junior year,” Andreotti said. “I just watch how he runs. He runs hard, so I take after that.”
With Lemont leading 16-7 at halftime, Andreotti gave his team a little breathing room on the first play of the second half, dashing 65 yards for a TD.
“Sam had some big runs for us at crucial times when things started getting a little close and a little uncomfortable,” Lemont coach Bret Kooi said. “It was good for him, and it’s going to be good for us down the road.
“It gives another guy some more touches who might usually be playing catch-up when he’s not getting as many carries as Albert.”
Andreotti’s second TD also came in a big moment after Kendrick Washington’s second TD run of the night — a 67-yarder — gave Shepard a bit of hope.
That cut the deficit to 30-13 midway through the fourth quarter.
On the next play from scrimmage, however, Andreotti ran 55 yards to the end zone, erasing any doubts.
Andreotti enjoyed the competition with Washington, who ran 18 times for 105 yards and two TDs for the Astros.
“It motivates me a lot,” Andreotti said. “When he has a good run, I just want to come back, get out there and hit another big run.”
Lemont went up 9-0 on a two-play sequence late in the first quarter. Joey DeMaio blocked a punt in Shepard’s end zone, resulting in a safety.
Dylan Swanstrom then returned the ensuing free kick 55 yards for a TD.
Payton Salomon completed 14 of 22 passes for 132 yards and also scored on a 7-yard run for Lemont. Anthony Pasquale added a 21-yard interception return for a TD.
Aside from a couple big runs from Washington — who also had a 22-yard TD run — Lemont’s defense held Shepard in check.
“We have to play physical,” Pasquale said. “Beat the absolute living stuff out of them. Most of us are seniors on defense. We’re a very tight-knit group. We all want to kill whoever has the ball.”
For Shepard, Quran McClellan completed 7 of 15 passes for 85 yards, Elijah Tyson had four catches for 51 yards, while Malakhi Smith and Jeremy Rowlett each contributed two sacks.
“We’re getting better every week,” Shepard coach John Rone said. “Although the scoreboard wasn’t in our favor, we definitely improved from the Plainfield East game.
“As a staff, we like how we’re improving. The catch is it got away from us in the second half. I think that’s a sign of our youth.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.