Lockport looks to finish historic run in Class 8A title game against Maine South

Lockport's Joey Manzo runs the ball during the IHSA Class 8A varsity football semifinal playoff game between Lockport Township and Loyola Academy on Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Wilmette.

Lockport is ready to party like it’s the early 2000s again.

The Porters are heading back to the Class 8A state title game for the first time since 2003, when they won their second consecutive state title, the lone state titles in program history.

Lockport advanced to the state title game after defeating top-seeded Loyola on the road, 35-21, in the semifinals. Senior quarterback Hayden Timosciek led the team, throwing for 241 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

The Porters entered the 8A bracket as the No. 4 seed after finishing the regular season 8-1. Lockport started the season by shutting out four of its first five opponents, and the defense held strong for much of the season, only allowing more than 13 points once in the regular season – Andrew scored 15 points against Lockport in the regular-season finale. Lockport only allowed one touchdown in its first five games.

The Lockport offense didn’t struggle much either throughout the season. The Porters scored more than 40 points five times during the regular season, with the low coming against Lincoln-Way East later in the season. The offense finished the regular season averaging 24 points a game.

The team’s lone regular-season loss came against Lincoln-Way East, 12-10, which ultimately awarded the Griffins the Southwest Suburban Blue division title. Lockport scored late against Lincoln-Way East to try and end the 17-game winning streak the Griffins hold against the Porters, but the Griffins recovered a late onside kick to seal the game.

Lockport made easy work of its first two playoff opponents, defeating Lyons, 35-10, and Glenbard West, 34-0, respectively. The Porters snuck past Glenbard North, 28-22, in the quarterfinals before taking down the Ramblers in the semifinals.

Lockport's Hayden Timosciek passes the ball during the IHSA Class 8A varsity football semifinal playoff game between Lockport Township and Loyola Academy on Saturday, November 20, 2021 in Wilmette.

Apart from Timosciek leading the way in the passing game for the Porters, Danny Martisek has made an impression on both sides of the ball. In the team’s semifinal win against Loyola, the senior finished with 137 receiving yards and a touchdown, while intercepting two Loyola passes.

Ty Schultz is the Porters’ lead running back. He finished with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns against the Ramblers. The senior had an even bigger day the week before, scoring all four of his team’s touchdowns against Glenbard North to help his team advance.

The program now will try to win its third state championship when it takes on Maine South in the Class 8A title game Saturday at Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.

Coach George Czart is in his third season at the helm after taking over before the 2019 season, when the Porters finished 4-5. The coach has been building the program over the past three seasons. Lockport finished the spring season 4-2 and carried that momentum into summer and fall, as the Porters have made their run to the state title game.

With such a successful program, Czart is excited at the possibility his team could win its first state title in 18 years and show players around the area that they can win at a program like Lockport.