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Falls' big play lifts Lakes past Vernon Hills

Hunter Falls' pick-six interception in the fourth quarter all but sealed up a 26th consecutive North Suburban Prairie victory for Lakes.

The Eagles' defense was exceptional in the fourth quarter as Lakes pulled out a 26-20 victory over host Vernon Hills on Friday night.

Falls picked off the pass from Cougars quarterback Connor McNamara with 8:01 remaining in the fourth quarter and returned it 18 yards for the winning score.

"I saw the tipped ball from my fellow teammate, Charles Hudson," Falls said. "It perfectly went into my hands, and then I made one cut for a pick-six. It was definitely a huge point in the game. It all felt great and we definitely needed it, being down by two."

The win for Lakes (5-2, 5-0) stretched its winning streak to 26 games and also clinched a share of the division championship for the fifth straight year. Lakes would secure its fourth straight title with a win at North Chicago next Saturday.

"I knew it would be a tough game," Lakes coach Luke Mertens said. "Every time we play these guys, it's a tough one. It's about what I expected, and for the third week in a row our defense has carried the team."

The Eagles' defense soared, as 3 interceptions in addition to Hudson's turned the tablees.

"I really believe they love to make it interesting," Mertens said. "I'm getting greyer by the day. There's a lot of adversity in this game and they hung in there and got the win."

Vernon Hills took the lead for the first time at 20-18 late in the third quarter. Kiwanne Durant caught his second touchdown pass of the game from McNamara on a 48-yard strike. Then the Cougars (5-2, 3-2) added a 2-point conversion.

But they couldn't find a way to recover in the final quarter.

"We had our opportunities and you have to make plays in a game like this," Vernon Hills coach Bill Bellecomo said. "It's the little things that count. We had the opportunities, but didn't make the plays."

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