Lyons holds on against Downers North

Updated: September 16, 2011 11:46PM

Jamari Burks’ big play offensive skills helped Lyons to a 21-0 first-quarter lead last night at Downers North.

The Lyons junior’s defensive contributions to derail a Trojans’ second half comeback loomed even larger.

With Downers North (1-3) back to within 21-16 and threatening at the Lyons 44-yard line, Burks stepped in front of a Trojans’ receiver in the flat for an interception and ensuing 60-yard touchdown return down the left sideline to clinch a 28-16 win for the Lions (2-2).

“We were playing man, I saw him (the receiver) cut out so I cut in front of him and picked it off,” Burks said. “Now we just have to get back to work on Monday.”

LT went right to work at Downers North with three touchdowns in the first 9:08 of play. Quarterback Connor Onion began the barrage with TD passes to Evan Booth (five yards) and Burks (a 44-yard bomb down the middle) for a 14-0 lead, then Jaime Jones added a 3-yard scoring run after Victor Conforti’s recovery of an onside kick for a 21-0 edge.

But the next two-plus quarters belonged to Downers North. The Trojans drew within 21-10 by halftime. Garrett Tierney first caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Riley McGinnis (18 of 35 passing for 212 yards) early in the second quarter, then Tierney kicked a 25-yard field goal at the half ended.

Downers North’s surge continued in the third quarter, with a 119-3 edge in total offense over the first 15 minutes of the second half (and 208-66 overall in the final 24 minutes).

Anthony Rada’s 1-yard TD run with 8:30 left in the game drew the Trojans within 21-16, but Burks’ momentum-changing interception and two other second half picks by LT’s Connor Wasz (one in the end zone) helped the Lions end their two-game losing streak.

“We needed this win,” Onion said. “Coach (Kurt) Weinberg talked to us before the game about having a playoff type urgency, and we came out here and it was a total team win.”

“The last two years they (Downers North) have done that, fought back when we were way up,” Onion added. “Obviously we were getting a little nervous, but it was nice to seal the deal.”

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