Lake Forest holds off Stevenson

A 3-0 score heading to the fourth quarter? What happened to both Stevenson and Lake Forest’s offenses on Friday night?

Some of the credit goes to both team’s defenses. And some has to go the lack of offenses on both sides of the ball.

Lake Forest (5-1) had those 3 points heading to the final quarter at home. And that margin held up in a 10-7 NSC Lake Division contest.

Leading the Stevenson offense with 6 points on this night was Stevenson junior Anthony Bozin. His touchdown catch of 17 yards came with five minutes to play in the game.

“I guess it was a little late,’’ Bozin said. “But it was a perfect line-drive pass.”

Where was the offense on this cool but clear night in Lake Forest?

“Our defense was doing great,’’ Bozin said. “Our offense is still a little new. We have a new line coach. We’ll get it back. We’ll be OK.”

Stevenson (4-2) was clearly in this contest for three quarters. But when the Scouts scored a touchdown with under eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Patriots looked in trouble.

Stevenson quarterback Matt Micucci suddenly caught fire following that score. Bozin caught 3 passes on a quick 69-yard march for the score. icucci had 47 yards passing through three quarters and 62 more yards on the 8-play drive.

And when Micucci added the extra point, suddenly it was a game again.

The dynamic duo of Carl Miller and Quintin Lorenzo forced a three plays-and-out for Lake Forest, leaving a good four minutes to play.

That Micucci-to-Bozin connection worked again for 17 yards and a first down at midfield. Now throwing with a hot hand, Micucci fired consecutive completions to Matt Morrissey and Jon Way. The drive did slow down at the Lake Forest 15-yard line.

Micucci lined up for short field goal attempt but prior to the kick, he came up limping following a hit. His 32-yard field goal did not make it.

The Scouts dominated action on offense in the early going. The first Lake Forest drive moved the ball 60 yards until LF kicker Baylor Broughton connected on a 41-yard field goal. \

In the mean time, the Stevenson offense was stagnant. After one quarter of action, the Pats offense was at minus-1 yard.

The second quarter wasn’t much better but at least the Pats running game began to emerge. Running back Kevin Foley helped drive the ball into Lake Forest territory.

In the meantime, the Stevenson defense held the Scouts offense in check. Way’s interception ended one Lake Forest march.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Pats as they meet Lake Zurich on a short week come Thursday night.

“We’ll be fine,’’ Bozin said. “We’ll come back and get into our playoff run.”