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Lake Zurich routs Warren in finale

For the first time since 2001, Lake Zurich won't be making a football postseason appearance.

But that didn't seem all that important after the way the Bears finished their season.

Ben Klett and Jake Stevens combined for 4 touchdowns in leading Lake Zurich past visiting Warren 27-7 in a North Suburban Lake Division game.

Klett, in his final game for the Bears after a four-year varsity career, had 20 carries for 190 yards and scored on runs of 8 and 57 yards.

"Even though we're not going to the playoffs, our goal was to win that game," Klett said. "That game meant a lot to us and all the seniors. It also meant a lot to me too, getting the last game as a win.

"It was a great memory for a final game," Klett added. "I've been playing on this field forever with my brothers. I made a goal for myself to play the best that I can. I think I believe that I got halfway there."

Lake Zurich (4-5, 3-3) ended up a game short of reaching the playoffs, but recovered after a tough defeat last week against Lake Forest.

"I'm very happy and it was a case that we needed to get a win," Lake Zurich coach Dave Proffitt said. "We had to beat a quality team and we haven't done that all year. It's not to disrespect the three other wins, but we had to beat a team that's going to the playoffs. As far as winning the last game, there's not many teams that can win their last game - unless you win the state championship. We're glad that our seniors and go out in this fashion.'

Stevens set the table for the Bears 13 seconds into the game with a 97 yard kick-off return for a 7-0 lead.

"There was such a big hole," Stevens said. "I was running up and there was so much daylight. I just ran right through. I never expected it and thought guys would be all over me. I thought it was huge and that gap was like 20-yards wide. Starting off the game with that type of energy was great."

The Bears defense responded by stopping Warren (5-4, 4-2) in three plays and forced them to punt.

Lake Zurich responded with another score as Stevens found the end zone on a 23-yard run and the Bears led 14-0.

Then Klett added his two runs, from 8 yards late in the opening quarter and another from 57 which increased the lead to 27-0 with 4:45 left in the second quarter.

The Blue Devils got on the board with 3:37 left in the game. Zachary Schulz caught a 6-yard pass from Kyle Debevec, which made the score 27-7.

Warren running back Darrius Crunp broke the 1,000 yard mark for the second straight season as he carried the ball 19 times for 84 yards.

"We can only go up, we broke down in quite a few areas," Warren coach Bryan McNulty said. "How the kids played, it's on me. I have to prepare them better and make them a bit more sharp to play. It is what it is, and we just have to get better before next week."

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