Lockport's fast start buries L-W Central

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:30PM

When you turn four turnovers into touchdowns, by golly, it figures to be a happy homecoming celebration.

Lockport turned the trick Friday night, scoring four times in the first 13 minutes 16 seconds en route to a 35-14 SouthWest suburban Blue victory over Lincoln-Way Central.

"The defense got us the ball in good field position on the turnovers, and that was able to set us up," Lockport junior quarterback Billy Reed said.

The Porters (4-2, 2-2) took the opening kickoff and marched 66 yards in only three plays, with Reed scoring on a 45-yard keeper.

After that, it was defense, defense, defense for coach Bret Kooi's team.

Tailback Justin Baumhardt, a work horse in every sense for Lincoln-Way Central (1-5, 1-3), would finish with 100 hard-earned yards in 29 carries. But he fumbled the first time he touched the ball, and Lockport defensive back Connor Wilson recovered at the Knights 30. On the next play, Reed hit senior wideout receiver Brandon Golob for a 30-yard TD strike on a post pattern for a 14-0 lead.

Baumhardt got it going on the next drive, and quarterback Tyler Hutin chipped in with three completions, the last a 12-yarder to senior Evan Branyik that cut the Knights' deficit to 14-7 with 7:06 still remaining in the first quarter.

The momentum had swung Central's way, and the Knights' defense forced a punt on the next possession.

However, Hutin was intercepted by the man of the hour, Wilson, who caught the ball on a deflection at the Central 22.

Another one-play scoring drive followed as Reed took a keeper up the middle to the end zone for a 21-7 Lockport lead with 2:50 left in the quarter.

"Lockport is a big, physical team and it took us too long to adjust," Central coach Brett Hefner said. "We gave up too many possessions and not just the turnovers. It's hard to live in third and long."

The turnovers did in fact continue, however, as defensive back Brent Brock made a diving interception one play after linebacker Brad Johnson put the hit of the game on Baumhardt for a 2-yard loss.

The pick came at the Lockport 36, and tailback Dan Holman and the Porters marched to the Central 22, from where Reed and Golob hooked up for their second TD connection. That extended the Porters' lead to 28-7, and they were not threatened again.

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