Lincoln-Way East’s defense has been spectacular all season.
In five games, the Griffins’ first-team defense has allowed only two touchdowns all season. Friday’s game against Sandburg was no different for the outstanding unit. Lincoln-Way East suffocated the Eagles’ offense, giving up no first downs in the first half and finishing the shutout in the second half in a 34-0 victory.
“[It was] a good effort on defense. Special teams was solid, and the offense was patient and then broke it open,” Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar said. “I was proud of the second and third units that went in and kept the shutout and kept moving the ball on offense.
The Griffins forced five turnovers in the game and scored on a 40-yard interception return by Sevren Stuckey.
As dominant as the defense was, it took almost a quarter for the offense to get rolling. The Eagles didn’t give the Griffins much room to run the ball early, but East’s big-play potential came to light near the end of the first quarter. Quarterback Sean Walsh found Mason Pierre-Antoine streaking across the middle of the field for an easy 43-yard touchdown to put the Griffins on the board.
East recovered a fumble on the opening play of the next possession, and Walsh cashed in that turnover on the next play, finding Jack Tremblay for a 31-yard score. Walsh spread the love around a few minutes later, hitting Max Tomczak for a 25-yard score. Connor Kubik found some room on the ground with an 11-yard score helping the Griffins (5-0) to a 27-0 halftime lead.
Sandburg was able to manage a few first downs in the second half but not much more. Stuckey’s interception return for a touchdown was the only score of the second half for the Griffins.
The large lead allowed Zvonar to get everyone in the game, which is a luxury he isn’t always afforded.
“Everybody on the roster played,” Zvonar said. “With everything that’s been going on in the last 13 months with COVID, that’s a special thing to get all 90 something in the game tonight.”
The Griffins have won 19 straight games and will look for their 20th in a row next week against rival Lincoln-Way West in the season finale.
“It’s bittersweet, but to be out here this spring and getting this in is better than nothing,” Zvonar said. “It’s just unfortunate because this group certainly deserved a full season to see if they could defend their championship.”