Robertson's big plays lead L-W East

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:30PM

J.J. Robertson started his career at Lincoln-Way East as a running back.

But the coaching staff decided wide receiver would better suit his big-play potential, which was on display on Friday night against Sandburg.

Robertson hauled in touchdown passes of 77 and 60 yards to lead No. 14 Lincoln-Way East to a 30-14 victory against Sandburg in a SouthWest Suburban Blue contest in Orland Park.

The victory, combined with Bolingbrook's defeat to Homewood-Flossmoor, provided the Griffins (5-1, 4-0) with sole possession of the top spot in the Blue.

"This is a big win for us for conference to control our own destiny," East coach Rob Zvonar said. "With all due respect to Lincoln-Way Central and Joliet Central, we could be playing for the conference championship in our own backyard against Bolingbrook next week."

Robertson gave the Griffins a quick lift on Friday. His 77-yard TD catch came on the third play of the game and gave the Griffins a 7-0 lead after the first of four William Will extra-point kicks.

Sandburg (4-2, 2-2), however, would strike back on consecutive possessions and garner a 14-7 advantage with 4:23 remaining in the first quarter.

Jermell Harris scooted in from six yards out to tie the game at 7 after Taylor Zalewski's kick. The score was set up on Zach Schwer's 55-yard interception return to the East six-yard line.

The Eagles (4-2, 2-2) demonstrated some big-play magic of their own when Cody Miller (14 of 19, 134 yards) hit Tres Oliver on a 50-yard pass play to the East five-yard line. Harris eventually plowed in from the three for the 14-7 lead.

"We felt like we had the momentum at that point," Sandburg coach Dave Wierzal said. "But the turnovers just killed us."

Matt Solner recovered the first of three Sandburg turnovers late in the first quarter. On the very first play, Robertson caught a 60-yard strike from Winkler (8 of 14, 259 yards), leaving the Eagle secondary in his dust, to tie the game 14-14 with 1:09 remaining in the first quarter.

"I'm not going to lie, I'm confident I can beat my man," Robertson said. "I just listen to what the coaches tell me to do and our offensive line gave us time to make something happen."

East scored two more times before the first half ended. After Kyle Langenderfer recovered a fumble, the Griffins marched 45 yards on eight plays, with Tyler Starke (15 carries, 46 yards) busting in from one yard out for the 21-14 advantage.

A poor punt, all of 11 yards, set up East's next score. The Griffins were faced with a third and 18 from the Sandburg 45 when Winkler found Kyle Buchbach up the middle for a touchdown and 28-14 advantage.

"It was a pretty wild first half," Zvonar said. "We talk to the kids about attrition, how two teams are battling it out and then one team kind of takes over."

That would be the Griffins.

East's defense, especially against the run, was dominant. Defensive end DeAndre Slate recorded three sacks as the Griffins limited the Eagles to just 46 yards rushing on the night.

"We knew we needed to step up and we talked about that," Slate said. "We had to match their intensity. We really pushed each other at practice this week."

East's Max Bayer rushed for 55 yards on 15 carries.

Sandburg was led by Harris (9 carries, 26 yards) and Mike Imrie (5 carries, 19 yards).

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