[Preview of this week’s Inside—Booster story.]
By Jack Lydon
Lane Tech is on a streak winning four games in a row after a three-game skid. It was Lincoln Park’s turn to face the Champions Friday evening at Lane Stadium, and actually a Lincoln Park home game. The sidelines and fan seating sections were reversed. The Lane sideline, as well as the seating for the fans and the bands was on the western side. Lincoln Park, its fans and band were on the east side.
It didn’t make much difference. The Champions in their white road uniforms did what they set out to do winning the game 26-0.
“We saw what [defensive backs] we were going against. We saw matchups we liked. We have 6’5”, 6’4” receivers, so just given that [we liked the] 50/50 ball. Air it out there and see what they can do. We practice that a lot,” said Lane senior quarterback Blake Perkins.
The game started a little slow. Multiple personal fouls on both teams held down the scoring until late well into the second quarter. Despite concentration on throwing the ball, Lane QB Perkins scored on a one yard-keeper midway through the second quarter making the score 9-0 after a blocked extra point attempt.
The Champions dominated the first half. A long drive at the end of the half culminated in a “go route” up the right sideline with 39 seconds left.
“We saw that #7 [Lincoln Park free safety Carson Greco] was playing back, so we thought we got to just throw it up there. We’ve got to head tap him. I just ran up the sideline. Went up there and got the ball. Touchdown. That was it,” said Lane junior wide receiver Aiden Andrich.
16-0 at the half but the seemed like a lot more. The game never felt in doubt. A couple of early interceptions by the Champions in the second half cemented that feeling. Lane added a second field goal be senior kicker Atticus Whitted.
With time ticking down and the Champions running out the clock at that end of fourth, #72, Kanye Williams reported to the referee and a line up at tail back in the offense backfield. Williams took a couple of handoffs and managed to get in the end zone for a touchdown with the help of his fellow offensive lineman.
“That was my first one,” said senior offensive and defensive lineman Kanye Williams, referring to the touchdown.
“Like last year, we tried to just give it to the seniors. This is my last year. We tried to just get me one. Whoever is next up. They gonna get one. It’s just a tradition,” said senior offensive and defensive lineman Kanye Williams.
“Especially in their senior years, we try to get our big guys in the end zone. Let them have a little fun. It always gets the team hyped,” said Coach Conley.
When reminded that Chicago Bears legendary defensive tackle, William “Refrigerator” Perry, also wore number 72, Conley said, “I didn’t even put that together. Kanye picked that number his sophomore year. [Now he is] Kanye “Refrigerator” Williams.”
With five wins and three losses, Lane will be in the new IHSA playoff format. The Champions week nine opponent has yet to be determined. The Chicago Public League will assign an opponent to the Champions for the regular season finale to be played next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
