Oak Lawn ends conference title drought

Nick Pesek (32) of Oak Lawn runs 80 yards on this play in the second quarter to score a touchdown.
(Art Vassy/SouthtownStar)

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For the first time in 28 years, Oak Lawn has won a conference title in football.

The host Spartans beat visiting Richards 20-12 Friday night and wrapped up the the South Suburban Red crown.

Oak Lawn quarterback Cody Williams relied on running back Nick Pesek, but also helped himself with two interceptions on defense. Williams, a defensive back, picked off a Richards pass late in the third quarter that led to the Spartans’ final touchdown.

“This means a great deal,” Williams said. “We tried not to focus [on winning the title] that much this week, and we just tried focusing on Richards. But in the back of our minds we knew we were playing for more than a conference championship.”

Pesek finished with 184 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns of 80 and 11 yards.

“We wanted it all season because it was our goal since last year,” Pesek said. “The [80-yard score] felt good and we wanted to do something big. [The offensive line] helped a lot on that.”

Leading by only two, Williams’ interception with 1:46 to go in the third gave Oak Lawn possession. That drive ended with Pesek’s 11-yard scoring run and Oak Lawn taking a 20-12 lead.

Oak Lawn (5-3, 4-0) had a 14-12 halftime advantage, after a scoreless first quarter.

Raek Kurdi got Oak Lawn up 7-0 on a 23-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter. But Richards answered with quarterback Jon Ryan’s 6-yard scoring run with 6:05 remaining.

Then on the first play from scrimmage after the kickoff, Pesek took off on the 80-yard scoring run and the Spartans led 14-6. Pesek racked up a whopping 123 first-half yards on nine carries.

Richards (4-4, 3-1) answered at the four minute mark with Ryan’s 51-yard scoring pass to Keith Sconiers. The two-point conversion failed, accounting for the halftime score.