by ROSCOE VILLAGE, IL – The Lane Tech Champions handled business at home in the first round of the IHSA Class 8A playoffs, beating the co-op high school, Perspectives Leadership/IIT/Joslin Tech Warriors, 34-6 on Halloween night.
The Champions exploded in the second half, scoring 34 points to turn a defensive statement into a decisive key win. Leading the way was Champions quarterback, Blake Perkins and versatile athlete Shamar Pipes.
First Half:
Both teams struggled to generate in the opening two quarters, entering halftime tied 0-0. It was a slow start that included multiple overthrown high snaps for Perspectives, resulting in massive yardage loss in the first quarter, and later, a turnover on downs at the Champions 15-yard line.
Second Half:
Near the 10:18 mark of the third quarter, Perkins threw an interception to Perspectives’ Herman Yancey, who was close to the Perspectives 45 yard-line and returned to the end zone, dodging the Champions defensive line. Perspectives opted for a two-point conversion, but an incomplete pass left the score 6-0.
With 5 minutes left in the third, the Champions responded from a first down from their own 36-yard line. Perkins handed the ball to running back, Vernon Cole who broke through the Perspectives defense for a 64-yard touchdown run. The extra point by Nico Donoso was good, pushing the Champions ahead 7-6.
The Champions’ momentum continued to build late in the third when Perkins saw an open gap and ran into the end zone for a 13-yard quarterback keeper touchdown. The extra point by Atticus Whited was good and extended the Champions’ lead 14-6.
In the first minute of the fourth quarter, the Champions tallied another touchdown on the Perspectives 20-yard line. Perkins connected to Delontae Khalifa, who ran on the right side of the field and secured the ball in the end zone. The Champions’ extra point was blocked by Perspectives defense, keeping the game close, 20-6.
Jordan Ramirez for the Champions provided good coverage to stop the Perspectives. Ramirez intercepted a pass by Perspectives quarterback Damon Smith and secured a first down for the Champions on the Perspectives 40 yard-line. The Champions moved the chains and secured a first-and- 5 on the Perspectives 25 yard-line. Perkins ran a quarterback keeper ran past the defense all the way to the end zone. PAT by Whitted this time was good, pushing the Champions’ lead to 27-6.
Near the end of the fourth quarter, Pipes burst out of nowhere for a 72-yard touchdown run, but a flag was on the play. No deterred, the Champions worked their way up the field and found themselves on their own 39-yard line. Perkins handed the ball to Pipes once again. This time, no one caught Pipes and he scored a 61-yard touchdown. The Champions’ extra point by Justin Tacuri was good, bringing the final score to 34-6.
Next Week:
The Lane Tech Champions will host The Owego Panthers (8-2) next Saturday @ 1 p.m. CT, who beat Naperville North 17-7 to advance to the IHSA Class 8A second round of playoffs.
Lane Tech: 0 0 14 20 = 34
PLIITJT (CO-OP) 0 0 6 0 = 6
