Lincoln-Way West edges Lincoln-Way Central in rivalry matchup

NEW LENOX – The rivalry between Lincoln-Way West and Lincoln-Way Central is strong. When the two schools get together you can count on a little extra intensity.

It certainly was that way Friday night as the two schools went right down to the wire. Lincoln-Way West’s defense was the difference as the Warriors edged the Knights, 20-16, as West made one last stand at the end.

After Colin Sparks drilled a 38-yard field goal with 2:13 remaining in the game to give the Warriors a four-point lead, West’s defense held after a scare.

Central quarterback Turner Doran and running back Ethan Rossow connected all game long and two times on the final drive, getting the Knights to the Warriors’ 37-yard line, but West stiffened. After a short gain on second down, Doran was able to keep plays alive but couldn’t connect with his receivers on third and fourth down.

It finished a lot better than it started for West. The Warriors trailed by 10 points early before the defense made a huge play to get the squad going. In the second quarter, Doran got sacked and fumbled in the end zone recovered by linebacker Daniel White for a touchdown. The excellent defensive play jumpstarted the team. Near the end of the half, running back Justin Harris punched in from 6 yards out to give the Warriors a 14-10 lead, their first of the game.

Central quickly fought back to take the lead, 16-14, right before halftime. Doran caught fire, completing seven of eight passes on the drive. Doran hit Rossow three times on the drive alone. A swing pass to Rossow for the third time on the drive set up the Knights to fool the West defense. Doran faked the swing to Rossow and found Nolan Decker in the back of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown.The touchdown was one of two for Doran. He also found Andre Doyle in the back of the end zone for the team’s first score of the game.

Unfortunately for the Knights, they couldn’t hold a two-point halftime lead and never scored again. Central had a solid opening drive of the third quarter but turned it over on downs at the West 37-yard line. Harris and the West offense parlayed the defensive stop into three points. Harris carried for 35 yards on the drive and finished with 151 for the game.

After the drive stalled on the 20-yard line, Sparks knuckled home a 37-yard field goal to give the Warriors the lead for good. Although they weren’t able to come out with a win, Central’s defense played excellent in its own right forcing three interceptions and two fumbles including one near the goal line as the Warriors were about to punch in.

Lincoln-Way Central will take on Lincoln-Way East next week, while Lincoln-Way West will play Stagg.