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Lisle falters in opener

Lisle struggled to establish defensive momentum in its football season opener Friday night.

That, combined with key penalties, contributed to a 39-22 loss to visiting Peotone, according to coach Paul Parpet Sr.

"In the first half we had three big penalties on special teams," he said. "The second thing that hurt us is we gave up too many third down and long situations. When you do that, now the defense has to stay on the field longer. We've got to shore that up.

"But our kids didn't quit. They kept battling."

Peotone threatened on its second possession, but the 8-play drive stalled at the Lisle 14-yard line when Lions junior Grant Haen intercepted Kale Maupin's pass after the ball bounced off a Blue Devils receiver.

After a Peotone three-and-out to start the second quarter, Lisle took over at its own 20-yard line, where quarterback Alec Van Volkenburg dropped back and lobbed a pass to a wide-open Mark McGrath. McGrath hauled in the catch, sprinted down the visitors' sideline and into the end zone for a 75-yard touchdown reception and a 7-0 lead with 8:55 left.

The Blue Devils responded right back with a 14-play drive that took almost six minutes off the clock. Maupin completed two third-down pass plays, ran for 12 yards on another third-down play and completed a fourth-down pass at the goal line to Toby Bottoms.

One play later, Maupin scored on a 1-yard keeper up the middle, but the extra point was wide left.

"I expected our defense to be a little better tonight," Parpet said.

"I expected us to get off the field on third down more than what we did if we're going to have a chance at success."

Peotone took its first lead of the night on its opening possession of the third quarter. Maupin tossed his first touchdown pass of the season to Alex Panning at the 10:57 mark, one play after Chandler Gartner ran for 53 yards to set up the score.

Down 19-7 to start the fourth quarter, Van Volkenburg again connected with McGrath on a 29-yard touchdown toss along the edge of the end zone, which cut the Blue Devils lead to 19-14.

Lisle got as close as three points at 25-22 when McGrath caught his third touchdown of the night from Van Volkenburg with 3:31 left.

Peotone finished the scoring with a 75-yard screen pass from Maupin to Panning, as well as an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kirkland Jackson.

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