LOCKPORT – Bolingbrook used eight running backs who combined to rush for 313 yards in a 27-22 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory Friday night over Lockport.

“We’re not afraid to play anyone,” Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow said. “Tonight we were missing four starters and we used eight different players to carry the ball. We play uptempo and they need that break. They all did a nice job tonight.”

The Raiders (3-3, 2-2) scored on their first possession after recovery of a Lockport fumble as Kendall Smith ran in from 2 yards out for a 6-0 lead. They never trailed.

Lockport (4-2, 2-2) had opportunities as it recovered two first-quarter fumbles by the Raiders. Ryne Travis recovered the first, which led to a 25-yard Ben Davis field goal to make it 6-3. Eric Jungheim recovered the second fumble, but the Raider defense stop the Porters on downs.

Raiders quarterback Anthony Vespo took advantage and hit Lucas Maurella with a 64-yard touchdown pass with 10:25 left before halftime to go up 13-3.

“We came out strong again tonight like we have in the past games,” Vespo said. “But tonight we finished. We are learning from our mistakes. We have three more games left and tonight was a big victory for us. I love to throw the ball, but when you can run the ball like we did, it makes the passing easier.”

Vespo was 5 of 7 through the air for 117 yards with one interception to go with his touchdown pass.

Still trailing 13-3 in the third quarter, Lockport scored on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Austin Hoffman to make it 13-10 at the 5:43 mark. Hoffman had seven receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

On the next possession, the Porters’ Nicholas Dado intercepted a tipped ball. But Davis was wide left on a 38-yard field goal attempt.

Bolingbrook then got a 50-yard scamper by Izayah Green-May and Brandon Walters finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to put the Raiders up 20-10. Walters finished with 16 carries for 58 yards.

“I had to take Jeremiah Lebron’s spot tonight because he was hurt,” Walters said. “I knew I had to step up. It really helps all of us in the backfield when you have guys who can come in and keep you fresh. We needed this win tonight and this will help us continue to get better each week.”

Lockport was not done, as it put together a 10-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by John Savage, to make it 20-16 with 9:43 left.

“It’s a little frustrating because we got close but could never get the lead,” said Savage, who carried 31 times for 105 yards. “We will bounce back, we are not a team that will give up. We didn’t tonight, and we will be ready to go next week.”

After the Lockport score, the Raiders responded yet again as they drove 83 yards in just over two minutes. Jazontae Howard capped his night with a 5-yard score. Howard ended with 75 yards on nine carries.

“We have an unselfish offense, we don’t mind sharing the ball,” Howard said. “We finally played an entire game and it’s a great team feeling to win.

Lockport was missing two key players as the Porters were dealing with eligibility issues, according to coach Dan Starkey.

“That 14-point swing in the third quarter was huge,” Starkey said. “We had the momentum after the interception, then we don’t score and they drive right down the field and score. That was the game right there.

“We didn’t tackle well tonight and really didn’t play well in all three phases of the game. Give Bolingbrook credit. They needed the win and got it. But we need the wins, also. We haven’t qualified for anything yet. We struggled early in the game with our passing, we just couldn’t get it going. John [Savage] did a great job of stepping up as our running back.”