Football: Lemont ready for next step: state semifinals

Updated: November 15, 2011 8:43PM

As far as coach Eric Michaelsen can remember, Lemont’s Class 6A semifinal Saturday at Peoria Richwoods will be the first time the teams have played each other.

“Every time I say never, somebody that graduated in 1948 will call up and tell me what an idiot I am,’’ Michaelsen said with a laugh after the Indians’ quarterfinal victory over Hubbard.

Lemont has been making a lot of playoff history in recent years, and the undefeated Indians will try to add a couple of more chapters before the 2011 season is over.

“We want to keep going, see this through to the end,’’ said senior Sebastian Koziel, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound defensive lineman who helped stymie Hubbard 29-0 Saturday night, Lemont’s final home game.

Lemont (12-0) has a school-record six shutouts this year and is playing in the state semifinals for the third time in five seasons. The Indians were Class 6A runners-up in 2007 and ’08, history that isn’t lost on senior nose tackle Arnas Laurinaitis.

“When I was a freshman, we saw those guys go a long way,’’ Laurinaitis said of the ’08 team that lost to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in the title game, the Indians’ only defeat that year.

Peoria Richwoods (9-3) is the last hurdle Lemont has to clear to reach another state championship game. The Knights have won nine in a row, including playoff victories over Normal, Crete-Monee and Danville.

“They’re always really good,’’ Michaelsen said. “They always get pretty far into the playoffs. We’re going to be heading down there, so we’ll have our work cut out for us.’’

Richwoods was 12-1 last season, losing to Chatham Glenwood in the 5A semifinals after a quarterfinal win over Joliet Catholic. Richwoods made it to this year’s semifinals despite giving up 25 points a game.

Defense has been a strong point for Lemont, which has allowed only a little more than seven points a game.

“I’m proud of the effort the seniors have put in,’’ Michaelsen said. “What they’ve accomplished is something to be proud of. Now we’re focused on the next game.’’

By the numbers

Here’s part of the statistical story behind Lemont’s success this year:

Start with the defense. The top five tacklers are Kyle Krull (89), Vince Letizia (87), Connor O’Brien (76), John Tomala (68) and Jake Lemming (54). Tomala has a team-high 16 tackles for loss.

Lemming leads the Indians with eight interceptions, tied for the best in the area. Linebacker Brad Uher has eight sacks, most on the team.

Offensively, the line of tackles Ethan Pocic and Carl Chanda, guards Travis Layer and Tim McAuliffe and center Nick Runnfeldt was in front Saturday while Mike Anzalone rushed for 129 yards. Anzalone has 17 rushing touchdowns, backfield mate Chris Giatras has 13.

Quarterback Damon Aleman has passed for 1,134 yards and 17 touchdowns, 11 to wide receiver Tyler Jay, who’s also the punter.

One more thing

Lemont comes out prepared for the second half. In 12 games, the Indians have allowed just seven points total in the third quarter.

© 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.