PHOTOS: Lincoln-Way West Wins In Overtime To Advance To Quarterfinals

BURBANK, IL — Lincoln-Way West Warriors secured a spot in the Class 7A IHSA quarterfinals Saturday, Nov. 7, with an overtime thriller of a win against St. Laurence in the second round.

St. Laurence got on the board first in the game, scooting 3 yards on the ground for a 7-0 lead. The Vikings offense worked a steady pace throughout the game, trudging towards a 253-yard total offensive output against the Warriors.

Lincoln-Way West reached deep to answer the Vikings' first score, taking a page from the Philadelphia Eagles playbook and using a "Philly Special" to knot the score at 7-7. Quarterback Jacob Howard snagged the tying touchdown pass from wide receiver Davey Kszulinski, in a switchup that caught the Vikings off-guard. Howard told the Daily Southtown after the game that West had kept the play in their book for a few weeks, stowed for the right moment.

Both offenses stalled out for much of the second and third quarters, as the defensive units flexed. Both teams struggled to move the ball efficiently throughout the game, with the Vikings outgaining the Warriors 253-231, according to Shaw Media.

The Warriors found the end zone again a few minutes into the fourth quarter, with Howard hitting Chase McNulty with a 9-yard pass to put West up 14-7.

The lead would be short-lived, with the Vikings answering less than 3 minutes later on a 14-yard touchdown that tied the game 14-14 with just 6:41 left. Neither team would manage another scoring effort before the final whistle of regulation.

West was able to take advantage early in overtime, with a solid punt return and costly St. Laurence personal foul that put the ball at the Vikings’ 9-yard line to open West’s first drive.

Howard rushed 10 yards to put West up 21-14, and junior defensive back Daniel Redican sealed the win with a game-ending interception, Daily Southtown reports.

Lincoln-Way West will face undefeated John Hersey High School on Saturday, Nov. 14, at home. Game time TBD.

Jeff Graveline contributed to this report.