Griffins' 'D' shut down Sandburg

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Lincoln-Way East tuned up for the playoffs in a big way by shutting out Sandburg 36-0 in a SouthWest Suburban Blue matchup Saturday afternoon in Frankfort.

The game was rescheduled from Friday night after lightning in the area postponed it.

"We really wanted to play (Friday) night," East senior quarterback Spencer Stanek said. "But today we had a really good team effort. The defense really stepped up and the O-line did a great job. I had all the time in the world."

Stanek certainly made the most of the time his line gave him, finishing 10-of-14 for 145 yards and a touchdown. He was 8-of-8 for 133 yards in the first half alone.

The Griffins (8-1, 4-1) took the opening kickoff and marched 71 yards in eight plays. Stanek capped the drive on a 1-yard scoring plunge on a third-and-goal play with 8:33 left in the first quarter to give East a 7-0 lead. He completed both passes on the drive for 25 yards.

"Our running game is amazing too," said Stanek of his team's 175 yards on the ground in the game. "That opens up the passing game. We're glad to win this to get a home (playoff) game next week."

East capped its first possession of the second quarter when Stanek found junior wide receiver Alex Evans with a 32-yard touchdown pass. Evans had four receptions for 70 yards.

Two more scores in the final four minutes of the first half pushed the East lead to 23-0 at intermission. They came on a 23-yard field goal by senior kicker Brett Thomaston and a 2-yard run by junior running back Kevin Starke 1:21 before halftime.

In the meantime the East defense was doing its part in the first half, allowing Sandburg (6-3, 3-2) to cross midfield only once.

"It took till Week 9, but we finally got our 11 starters on defense out there at the same time," East coach Rob Zvonar said. "Due to some injuries and suspensions we've had to tweak some things throughout. I'm pleased with the effort the kids gave.

"To shut out a big, physical team like Sandburg is an accomplishment."

Sandburg, which rallied to defeat East last year by a score of 23-22, had it deepest penetration of the game when it drove to the Griffin 27 in the third quarter. But any hopes of an Eagles comeback were plucked away as East senior defensive back Joe Kahlhammer returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown with 3:14 to play in the period.

Starke, who finished with 13 carries for 83 yards, rounded out the scoring on a 20 yard touchdown run with 9:59 to play in the game.

Senior linebacker Zach Johnson and senior defensive back Erza Thompson also added interceptions for the Griffins. Sandburg was limited to 136 total yards, including only 22 on the ground. Eagles senior quarterback Brian Hansen finished 11-of-26 with the three interceptions, for 114 yards while senior wide receiver Tony Stramaglia had seven receptions for 84 yards.

"It took the better part of two days to get this accomplished, but we got the job done," Zvonar said. "It was a good fall afternoon and we have to get ready to play some Saturday football games in the playoffs.

"We still need to work on a few things, but we'll be ready."

The Eagles also hope to be ready as they prepare for their third playoff appearance in the last last seven seasons.

"We have to get excited and get it to another level," Sandburg coach Dave Wierzal said. "(East's) defense is definitely one of the best in the area. Against a team like that you have to be ready to play at another level."