Lake Zurich's late surge subdues Warren
In the third quarter of this North Suburban Conference battle, upstart Warren (1-4) had scored late in the third quarter on Friday night to pull within a touchdown at Lake Zurich.
And then Lake Zurich linebacker Jack Sanborn broke through to block the extra point.
Was that the turning point?
Just maybe it was. The Bears (4-1) turned 2 interceptions into 2 late scores and turned what had been close game into a rout. The Bears prevailed 35-6.
"Our defensive line shut them down,'' said Lake Zurich quarterback Evan Lewandowski (9-for-14 passing, 201 yards, 2 TDs). "And we fixed our mistakes on offense and finished the game strong."
Once again, the Bears' offense relied on the power game of its not-so-big running back, Joey Stutzman. No doubt, his biggest contribution of the game came late in the first quarter as he broke free for a 77-yard touchdown run.
"It's heart with Joey,'' Lewandowski said. "He gives us so much effort. He really wants to win."
Stutzman, the workhouse in the LZ backfield, carried 23 times for 166 yards and two scores.
"It feels like I've run a marathon,'' Stutzman said. "But I will be Ok by Monday. It was good that we finished tonight."
The high-scoring offense of Lake Zurich did not tally in either the second or third quarter.
Warren, alternating Luke Schmitt and Ian Schilling at quarterback, did chalk up some yards. Late in the third quarter, it was Schmitt's turn and he drove his Devils downfield and dented the scoreboard with a 14-yard strike to tight end Brandon Ryczek to cut the Lake Zurich lead to 14-6.
"It was a pretty even game in the first half,'' said Warren coach, Bryan McNulty. "And then it got out of hand."
McNulty noted his ground game wasn't all that effective on this night.
"Lake Zurich always plays well against the run,'' he said.
Lake Zurich's strong finish actually came late in the third quarter. Lewandowski found Matthijs Enters open on a 37-yard pass play to the Warren 5-yard line. Stutzman did the honors on the second play of the fourth quarter.
Alex Miller's interception helped his offense push another touchdown in. Actually, the Bears were trying a field goal when the snap went off target.
Lewandowski adapted quickly and hit Miller with a 17-yard touchdown. Enters joined in the pick parade and his interception set up the next Bears' score.
Another defensive star, Ryan McGeever, scored from 7 yards out to put the game out reach.
"I thought our defense put good pressure on them,'' Sanborn said. "We really wanted this game. We wanted to finish the game."