Methling lifts Bears past Crystal Lake South

Lake Zurich's Jacob Brinlee (5) leaps through two Crystal Lake South defenders.
(Richard Bajjalieh/Pioneer Press)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

Lake Zurich kicker Max Methling had to hurry. After the host Bears beat Crystal Lake South 30-28 in a second-round Class 7A playoff game Saturday afternoon, Methling was headed to North Central College in Naperville where he hoped to lead Lake Zurich’s soccer team to a Class 3A state title against Lyons.

Methling, a starting defender on the soccer team, wanted to savor the football victory. His three field goals and an extra point helped the Bears advance to the quarterfinals.

His 44-yard field goal with five seconds to go in the first half hit the crossbar and fell over, cutting Crystal Lake South’s lead to 14-13. Then, his 26-yard kick in the fourth quarter gave Lake Zurich a 24-21 lead, breaking a 21-all tie.

“I was pretty worried about [the 44-yard field goal] because the timing was a little off and I had to stop, and I saw it just floating there and it never happened like that before,” said Methling, who also had a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter.

“I’ve been ready all year for this and my legs are used to it and the excitement is probably helping me through a lot of it,” Methling said.

After Methling’s 26-yarder, Lake Zurich running back Jacob Brinlee scored on a nine-yard run with 1:56 to play. Methling’s kick was blocked, but Lake Zurich (8-3) got the insurance score it needed and went ahead 30-21.

“[Methling] carried us in the first half with six points and kept us in the game and kept our confidence up,” Brinlee said. “Max is on the soccer team, so we might go out and support him.”

No. 18 Crystal Lake South (9-2) made it close with 20 seconds to play when quarterback Drew Ormseth fired a 28-yard scoring pass to Alex Macaulay to account for the final.

Ormseth threw two touchdown passes (five, 28 yards) and scored on a one-yard run.