DeKalb shuts out Lake Park

Lake Park looked like the stronger football team in the first quarter of Friday night's nonconference game.

By the end of the game, however, there was no doubt about visiting DeKalb.

Lake Park couldn't convert its scoring opportunities in the first quarter and lost to DeKalb 27-0 in Roselle.

"We have five returning starters, 17 kids learning what high school football is about," Lancers coach Chris Roll said. "There were a lot of kids that got down when things went wrong. They just have to learn how to react in adversity. Which is all football teaches you. It's the best part of this game.

"These same kids are going to be the ones when they win in the next couple of weeks are going to see how hard that is and how amazing it is to be able to celebrate with your teammates."

The Lancers (0-1) had the ball in DeKalb territory on its first three possessions but couldn't convert.

DeKalb (1-0) took advantage, getting a 35-yard Connor Tierney field goal midway through the second quarter. On the next DeKalb possession Jalon Redmond scored on a 1-yard run and the Barbs led 10-0 at halftime.

The Barbs picked up where they left off in the second half, converting a third down into a 56-yard touchdown pass. Tierney added a 42-yard field goal.

One play after a 70-yard interception return put the ball at the Lake Park 5-yard line, Hobson added a fourth-quarter rushing touchdown.

The Lancers play former DuPage Valley Conference rival Metea Valley next week.

"I just told them in high school football - in college football too - Week 2 is the whole season," Roll said. "Not win or lose but how much better you get."