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Bayer big for Lincoln-Way East
Justin Corbett (2) over the middle during the first quarter vs Bolingbrook
in Bolingbrook Friday September, 30, 2011.| Ray Luna ~ For Sun-Times Media
Updated: September 30, 2011 11:00PM
The package is called “Tarzan,” and it gives opponent a lethal headache.
Standout defensive tackle Kevin Bayer got his chance on offense in the Tarzan package Friday night, and he was the difference as visiting Lincoln-Way East rallied past Bolingbrook 20-14 in the battle of highly ranked SouthWest Suburban Blue unbeatens.
The No. 5 Griffins (6-0, 4-0) knew they were fortunate to be within 14-6 at halftime, and they needed a spark. Coach Rob Zvonar and his staff unleashed the jumbo package with East facing a fourth-and-two at No. 8 Bolingbrook’s 46 late in the third quarter.
In came 6-5, 210-pound Joel Magrum at tight end, 6-2, 260 Matt Solner at fullback and the 5-11, 235 Bayer at tailback. “They’re our best defensive linemen and we don’t want to lose them there, but we needed a spark,” Zvonar explained.
Bayer took the handoff and appeared that he might be stopped short of the first down. But he kept churning – and broke free for a 29-yard run to the 17. He carried for three on the next play and quarterback Blake Winkler took it in from there. A conversion pass from Winkler to Jay Yancy tied it 14-14.
When the Griffins mounted the winning drive midway through the fourth quarter, they faced at third-and-one at the Raiders’ 13.
Tarzan to the rescue. Handoff to Bayer, break a tackle and rumble to paydirt for a 20-14 lead with 5:09 left.
Bolingbrook made it interesting, but Bayer and his defensive cohorts adjusted and met the challenge after the incomparable Aaron Bailey ripped off scoring runs of 60 and 86 yards in the first quarter to give Bolingbrook (5-1, 3-1) a 14-0 lead.
“That was the first time this year I ran the ball,” Bayer said. “I’m grateful he (Zvonar) gave me the chance. The guys up front kept pushing. I did it for them.
“Really, all I had to do was follow 97 (Solner).”
Bolingbrook defensive end Alex Gordon, who sacked Winkler three times and was a major thorn in the Griffins’ side all night, noted, “We stopped the run pretty well. But last year they brought some big No. 99 at us, and this time it was 96.
“We knew they were a passing team, and we did a good job of keeping pressure on their quarterback. That helped keep pressure off our DBs (defensive backs).”
Winkler did connect with Justin Corbett on a 59-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter after almost stumbling to the ground, but otherwise, Bolingbrook stifled his potent passing game. He finished 10 of 19 for 128 yards.
Bailey rushed for 207 yards in 22 carries but lost yardage eight times, with Bayer among the ring leaders. His scramble on fourth-and-6 from the East 21 in the final minute came up two yards short.
“It’s hard not to fall in love with these guys,” Zvonar said. “They do the extra things to be successful.”
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