Sandburg finds the right air space

Updated: September 16, 2011 10:29PM

Sandburg and Lincoln-Way Central traded blows on the ground all night Friday, but the Eagles went to the air for the game-winning score in a 31-28 SouthWest Suburban Blue victory in Orland Park.

Trailing 28-24, Sandburg (4-0, 2-0) caught the Knights (1-3, 0-2) biting on a play-action fake as Anthony Adams (10 of 14 passing, 106 yards) found Nick Lehnerer (seven catches, 85 yards) wide open for a 33-yard touchdown with 1:52 left.

“We were in the Power-I and it was a great play-action,” Lehnerer said. “I just did my job and was wide open.”

Central failed to pick up a first down its final possession, Cale Hayes’ fourth-down pass falling incomplete.

The Knights took the lead on a 17-yard touchdown pass from Hayes to Kevin Ward in the final minute of the third. Ted Vergados’ 46-yard field goal for the Eagles earlier in the third proved key.

Central fought back from an early 14-0 deficit to go into the half tied at 21 as Brett Ditchman (26 carries, 193 yards) ran for three scores in the half, including a 76-yarder.

Lemonte Booker (14 carries, 121 yards), Trevor Dapkus and Mike Rago had touchdown runs for Sandburg.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.