Princeton opens with win over Lena-Winslow

PRINCETON – There was a chill in the air, two high-ranked teams on the field, and it had all the feel of a playoff game.

And it was the month of March.

Such is the 2021 IHSA spring football season.

Princeton, the No. 2-ranked team in Class 3A, met the challenge of facing the top-ranked team in 1A head on, defeating defending 1A state champion Lena-Winslow, 35-14, Friday night at Bryant Field in the opening night of the 2021 spring season.

“Boy, what a crazy season, isn’t it?” PHS coach Ryan Pearson said. “I tell you what, it was an awesome atmosphere. It almost felt like a playoff Saturday with the cool weather.”

The Tigers used a 67-yard TD strike from senior quarterback Tyler Gibson to Bennett Sierens to take its first lead at 21-14 with 7:19 left in the second quarter, and never looked back.

“I feel like that was the spark that lit us. Coach Pearson saw something and thought we’d take a shot,” Gibson said.

Augie Christiansen tacked on a 19-yard run with 4:32 to make it 28-14 at the half.

Senior All-State running back Ronde Worrels capped the night with his third touchdown of the game on a 3-yard rumble to make it 35-14 with 5:47 left in the game.

“I think this is a signature win for our program. No. 1 team in the state in 1A came down here and that was a heck of a physical football game,” Pearson said.

“My hat’s off to Lena. They’re a very good football team. But I’m very, very proud of how our kids responded. They played with a lot of grit tonight. They made a mistake, but they responded and put that behind them and focused on the next play.

“That’s what we preach. You get knocked down and you get back up.”

Lena-Winslow got on the board first with a 42-yard fumble recovery by Ethan Fye less than a minute and a half into the game to take the quick 6-0 lead.

“I’ll be honest with you, when they got that first touchdown on that fumble recovery, I think we were a little bit shell-shocked. It was important for us to do what we do and focus on the next play,” Pearson said.

Marey Roby also stunned the Tigers with 64-yard run to put the Panthers up 14-7 with 4:40 left in the first quarter.

Worrels, who rushed for 110 yards on 20 attempts, tied the game with his second trip to paydirt with a 9-yard sweep on the left side.

Friday was the first time either had stepped on the field in 16 months with the shutdown of the 2020 fall season due to the pandemic. Gibson said the Tigers had to shake off some rust.

“It was really great to be out there, but I’m not going to lie. It’s been awhile since we’ve been out on the field. First drive, had to get some jitters out. But after that, it was a good time,” Gibson said.

Gibson completed 5 of 19 passes for 117 yards, with Sierens hauling in four catches for 105 yards.

The game was marked by numerous player leg cramps, that left PHS trainer Sergio Valdez becoming one of the leading rushers on the night running onto the field time after time.

“In 20 years, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many cramps in a football game, and I think that’s attributed to the fact we haven’t played in 16, 17 months,” Pearson said. “And to start off with a physical football game, definitely took it’s toll. I’m pretty sure Sergio lost five pounds running around out there.”

Notes: Seniors recognized on Senior Night were Kaleb Cain, Cael Davis, Grant Foes, Tyler Gibson, Caleb Haring, Alex May, Kody Mongan, Jacob Read, Jamie Reinhardt, Nolan Scott, Drew Woolley and Ronde Worrels.