Sandburg holds off Lockport

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:18PM

Sandburg coach Dave Wierzal has resisted the temptation to develop a single go-to guy on offense.

The reality is, the Eagles possess multiple talents with go-to guy skills: Cody Miller, Tres Oliver, Javonte Keys and Jermell Harris all have the potential to exhibit the big play.

That variety pack was on full display against Lockport on Friday night in Orland Park.

Miller hooked up with "It's too easy" Keys and Oliver on touchdown passes and Taylor Zalewski booted a pair of field goals (38 and 45 yards) to lead Sandburg to a 27-17 victory against Lockport in SouthWest Suburban Blue play.

Oliver produced a 57-yard touchdown run for the Eagles, who finished 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the Blue. Lockport fell to 5-4, 3-4.

"It's nice having kids who are so selfless," Wierzal said. "There are times when they could say, 'the ball should be in his hands or the ball should be in this kids hands. They're willing to take a back seat now and then."

Lockport led 10-7 and was driving late in the first half, when a 22-yard TD pass from Billy Reed to Dexter Taylor was called back because of a penalty. The Sandburg defense, led by Marty Flynn and Mike Rago, stiffened and forced the Porters out on downs.

Sandburg took over and scored on Miller's 15-yard pass to Keys for a 14-10 lead with 18 seconds remaining in the half.

The Eagles hit pay dirt on the first series of the second half, with Miller (10 of 14, 109 yards, 2 TDs) hooking up with Oliver from 12 yards out to make it 21-10 with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter.

Instead of leading 17-7 at the break, Lockport found itself down 21-10 in a matter of a few minutes.

"The offense was on track and we had the momentum going," Lockport coach Bret Kooi said. "We should have been up by 10 points. We get called for the penalty and then they do what good teams do. They score and then they score again on the first series of the second half."

Reed completed 12 of 21 passes for 126 yards. He also scored on touchdown runs of six and 1 yard. Running back Daniel Holman carried the ball 20 times for 114 yards.

Sandburg's offensive line of Mike Thornton, Mike Guajardo, Jerry Blake, Mike Lowry and Dan Feeney were outstanding.

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