Lions Crush Cougars at Home, Football Pandemonium Ensues

The place: Bennett Field, home turf of the Lyons Township High School football team. The date: Friday, Aug. 27, 2010. The occasion: LT's opening game of the season against Plainfield Central High School. The sight: more than 4,000 fans, a student section drenched in yellow and blue.

Following last year's 5-5 regular season record and an early exit from the IHSA post-season, the Lions began fresh with a bang, against their non-conference opponent, Plainfield Central.

The opening home game of the year is always high in attendance, because it is the first genuine social "meet and greet" for incoming freshmen, and Friday night's game was no different. The energy was palpable, and senior receiver Chris Klotz, who scored the first touchdown for the Lions with 8:23 left in the first quarter, felt the electricity on the field.

"The energy was amazing," Klotz said. "The players were all getting each other pumped up, and stepping on the field under the lights got my heart racing. The adrenaline rush was like no other."

The clear excitement on behalf of the Lions was put into action as they demolished the Plainfield Central Cougars 38-6. The offense did most of the scoring, but it was the persistent defense that allowed LT to have so many opportunities.

"The defense picked us up after any miscue we had and didn't let [Plainfield] get anywhere," said senior quarterback Brian Kelley, who ran 26 yards to the end zone for a TD in quarter three. "It was really big to get the ball close to midfield every time. They also set the tone with their hits and enthusiasm."

The first quarter began with great anticipation as students and parents alike awaited the opening kickoff from LT. After a defensive stop from the home side, senior Mark Sewall brought the opposing punt deep into Plainfield territory before Kelley found Klotz in the end zone for the opening score of the game.

Pandemonium in the stands after a mere 3:30.

A weak offensive showing from Plainfield wasn't capitalized upon until late in the first quarter. After Kelley was intercepted when his pass ricocheted off his receiver's shoulder, two-way starter Sewall intercepted the ball back for the Lions and took the ball in for six.

The second quarter solidified LT's dominance over the team they beat on opening night 31-8 last season. A tremendous punt from Mike Pett pinned the Cougars deep in their own territory, before a fumble recovery from Lyons put them in prime position to add to their lead.

Failing to get in after three downs, LT Coach Kurt Weinberg took a risk and gave the offense a fourth chance to break down the Plainfield defense.

The risk paid off, as Kelley's fade route was acrobatically hauled in by senior Dylan Fiedler. 21-0 LT. (See footage of Fiedler's grab here.)

After another Plainfield punt, Weinberg's creative tactics paid off again as his end-around play saw sophomore wide receiver Matthew Harris take the ball more than 50 yards to the house. (Watch the magic here.)

By halftime, the match had virtually been decided, but fan support didn't dwindle, as the majority of the initial crowd was present to see Kelley rush for LT's fifth touchdown of the game late in the third quarter.

Following an LT field goal by senior kicker Matt Cotiguala, the score stood at 38-0 and fans began to filter out, satisfied with a resounding win.

Plainfield did manage to get on the scoreboard late in the fourth quarter with a deep pass reception for a touchdown, but the damage had been done and there was no way back for the Cougars.

Overall, Lyons Township can take heart in a well-deserved result. However, quarterback Kelley insists there still is work to be done.

"We can't look too far ahead; we have to take it one game at a time," Kelley said. "But this outcome definitely gives us some things to improve on as well as some things to build confidence upon going forward."