Lemont still has goals to go

Updated: October 25, 2011 10:38PM

Nine victories, five shutouts and a No. 1 seed in the Class 6A state playoffs. It’s just business as usual for Lemont — and the Indians definitely mean business.

“Our next goal is to win as many playoff games as we can,’’ Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen said. “Nine-and-0 is something to look back on once the season is over.’’

That probably won’t be for a while. Lemont advanced to the 6A quarterfinals the past two seasons after getting to the state championship game in 2007 and ’08.

Lemont has won 20 of its past 21 games dating to the 2010 season opener. The Indians just completed their second straight undefeated regular season and will host Morgan Park (4-5) in their playoff opener.

“The first thing is our senior leadership has done a nice job,’’ Michaelsen said. “They brought along our juniors and kind of showed them what our expectations were.’’

On defense, it’s to keep the opposition off the scoreboard. The unit, coached by longtime Lemont assistant John Howell, allowed just two teams to score in double digits.

Leading tacklers have been linebackers Kyle Krull, Vince Letizia and Connor O’Brien, with lineman John Tomala spearheading the group up front. Linebacker Brad Uher has six sacks and defensive back Jake Lemming seven interceptions, both team highs.

Offensively, Mike Anzalone has rushed for 1,007 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 7.1 yards a carry. “He’s a tough kid,’’ Michaelsen said. “He’s a hard-nosed runner. He has real good vision. He’s carried us when we’ve needed him.’’

Quarterback Damon Aleman has passed for 815 yards and 11 touchdowns, wide receiver Tyler Jay has eight TDs and Chris Giatras has chipped in 522 rushing yards for a balanced offense.

Five of the seven teams in the South Suburban Blue made the playoffs, including Tinley Park, T.F. North, Oak Forest and Bremen.

“Our conference does a nice job of preparing us,’’ Michaelsen said.

SouthWest Suburban Red

An argument can be made if two teams tie for first place with identical records and one beat the other during the season, the winner should be the outright champion. There’s no beef from Lincoln-Way West, which defeated Andrew and still shares the title with the Thunderbolts.

“It’s a conference rule,’’ West coach Mark VanderKooi said after the 28-20 victory Friday over Bradley. “That’s just the way it is. It’s still going to go up on our board as conference champs with a great group of kids, a great group of seniors.’’

The group of seniors includes quarterback Kyle Millner, who will lead the Warriors into their Class 5A opening-round game at Joliet Catholic.

“It’s going to take everything we’ve got, all 60-some players,’’ Millner said of having playoff success. “We’re going to do whatever it takes to finish the season strong.’’

SouthWest Suburban Blue

Five teams from the Blue are in the postseason: Lincoln-Way East, Bolingbrook, Lockport, Sandburg and Homewood-Flossmoor.

Unbeaten Lincoln-Way East, ranked No. 1 in the Herald-News, will host Plainfield South (5-4) in the first round. The winner of the Providence-Wheaton-Warrenville South match-up would be next up for the Griffins.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.