L-Way North tips L-Way Central

Updated: August 27, 2011 2:30AM

Every good team is tested to the utmost at one point in a season.

Lincoln-Way North’s test came in its opener. The Phoenix was able to score a 26-18 victory over Lincoln-Way Central only after its 19-point lead was cut to one point late in the third quarter.

“I was glad to see how they responded,” North coach George Czart said. “They didn’t fold at the end.”

Instead, they were more than resilient, quarterback Jake Wittman’s 13-yard fourth-and-12 completion to Jake Dixon setting up Tyler Gaynor’s 1-yard plunge for the insurance touchdown with 4:30 left in the game.

That allowed North’s contingent in the opening-night crowd of 4,000 in Frankfort to exhale. For Central, the loss tasted bitter. The Knights had fought back on running back Brett Ditchman’s 134 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries, only to see him leave the game with cramps on the first play after Gaynor’s score.

Central, with sophomore Cale Hayes at quarterback, closed the gap to a point on an eight-play drive in which Ditchman accounted for 81 of the 86 yards, including 49 on the first play.

But Knights coach Brett Hefner blamed himself for a pair of Hayes passes that Conor McDonald picked off down the stretch.

“You can’t have a 14-point play,” Hefner said.

Hayes’ 58-yard pass to Kevin Ward had cut the gap to 19-12 early in the third.

North’s savvy offense overcame a first-series turnover and took a 19-0 lead before a blocked punt in the final minute of the first half allowed the Knights to score. It was 19-6 at halftime.

Phoenix wingback Jake Dixon (22 carries, 81 yards) scored on a pair of 5-yard runs, the first to cap a 79-yard excursion late in the first, the second to finish an 18-yard drive with 3:43 left in the second. In between, Ross Ward burst off right tackle for a 20-yard touchdown run.

Save the interception of North quarterback Jake Wittman (9-for-13, 121 yards) by Central’s Tom Gianares via a tipped shovel pass in the first few minutes, it was all Phoenix until the last minute of the half, when Cobi Christiansen blocked Andrew Studer’s punt inside the North 20. Central’s Evan Panfil fell on the ball at the 3, and three plays later, Ditchman scored on a 1-yard plunge.

Lincoln-Way East 45, Edwardsville 14: East led 45-0 at halftime at cruised to the win at Hancock Stadium in Normal. Blake Winkler was 11-for-22 passing for 183 yards and three touchdowns, including two to Jelani Yancy. Tyler Starke (10 carries, 80 yards) added two rushing touchdowns.

Lemont 54, Little Village 0: Host Lemont rolled as Tyler Jay caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Zack Brosseau and a 27-yard TD from Damon Aleman. Mike Anzalone (5 carries, 70 yards, 9-yard TD) also contributed.

Peotone 40, Reed-Custer 0: Nick Ahlborn hit Danny Francis with a 30-yard touchdown pass as Peotone rolled in Braidwood. Danny Beresky (5 carries, 70 yards, 5-yard TD) and Ben Alexa (87-yard punt return TD) also contributed.

Manteno 14, Wilmington 11: Host Wilmington dropped its season opener.

Herscher 49, Dwight 8: Host Dwight dropped its season opener.

Boys Soccer

Bradley Invitational

Peotone 3, Kankakee 0: Ozzy Silva, Christian Thompson and Ian Schwigert all scored for Peotone (2-0) in the first-round game.

Lincoln-Way East 0, Brother Rice 0: Rick Torres posted the shutout for Lincoln-Way East (1-0-1).

Boys Golf

Peotone 172, Beecher 174: Jack Hockenberry fired a 41 to lead visiting Peotone to the win at Cardinal Creek North Golf Course. Medalist Michael Barber (38) led Beecher.

Girls Golf

Lemont 175, Plainfield North 214: Lemont was led by medalist Emily Lejman, who fired a 3-over 40, and Bridget Lynn (42) at Cog Hill’s course one.

Lincoln-Way West 200, Lincoln-Way Central 230: Medalist Alexis Biedrzycki shot a 34 to lead Lincoln-Way West in the SouthWest Suburban Red. Julie Haring shot a 49 for Lincoln-Way Central.

Contributing: Steve Millar

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