Lincoln-Way Central rolls past Joliet Central

Updated: October 22, 2011 6:55PM

Lincoln-Way Central senior work horse Brett Ditchman enjoyed another day at the office — 34 carries for 152 yards and five touchdowns — as the Knights finished a disappointing season on a high note Saturday with a 55-6 SouthWest Suburban Blue victory over Joliet Central.

At that, the Steelmen (0-9, 0-7) were a more formidable foe, especially defensively, than the final score suggests as the Knights (2-7, 1-6) took advantage of superior field position all afternoon.

“It feels good to end with a win,” Ditchman said. “We had tough, close games that we didn’t win, but we played hard all year. I’m going to miss everybody.”

“When you’re trying to turn things around and build, it takes time to get over the hump,” Knights coach Brett Hefner said. “We had some games slip away from us early, and in this league, it’s tough to rebuild. You can’t take a week off.

“But this is an outstanding senior group we had. I feel bad for them that we didn’t win more.”

In addition to Ditchman’s five scores, tackle Charlie Athans moved to tight end because the regular tight end was out and caught two passes for 35 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cobi Christiansen (8-of-19, 93 yards). Cory Richard and Nicholas Bertucci added 20- and 13-yard TD runs, respectively.

Joliet Central, which was without a first down in the first half, averted shutout when Carlos Curry sneaked in from the 1 in the third quarter.

“We have a core group of 10 players that I spent the last three years with,” Steelmen coach Mike Maloney noted. “They bought into our philosophy, and I want to express my admiration for them. I hope they feel they had some rewarding experiences. The relationships they build in football will carry through the rest of their lives.”

Exhibit A is defensive back Curtis Parker, who was cleared and returned for one final game after missing the last three with a concussion. “Curtis has basketball waiting for him and didn’t have to come back, but he did,” Maloney said. “He and the entire defense played a really good game.”

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