LIONS FALL TO 1-4, LOSE TO YORK 21-20

The Lyons Township varsity football team could easily be sitting with a 4-1 record at this point of the season. Instead, it is at 1-4 after yet another close loss this time, falling to division rival York Community High School 21-20 Friday night at Bennett field.

The Lions never trailed until York scored on a 26 yard touchdown pass and then converted the always interesting extra point, taking a one point lead with 3 minutes 32 seconds left to play.

Just over two minutes earlier LT had taken a 20-14 lead on a 32-yard touchdown run by Ryan Mitchell (17 carries for 228 yards) but missed the extra point wide, thus opening the door for York.

The Dukes played catch up most the game coming back from LT leads of 7-0, 14-7 and finally 20-14.

The Lions then tried to play a little catch up themselves, driving to the York 35 before coughing the ball up and turning it over to York with 1:14 to go.

Next up for the Lions (1-4, 1-2) are the always scrappy Proviso West High School Panthers (2-3, 0-3) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 in Hillside.

LT IN THE WIN COLUMN, BEAT OAK PARK 7-6

A 0-4 start would have meant certain doom to any hopes the Lions had for making the playoffs a seventh year in a row. The importance of Saturday’s game in Oak Park was known before the opening kick.

The Lions proved that they were up to the task coming away with a hard fought 7-6 victory against host Oak Park-River Forest on a picture perfect afternoon.

The victory didn't come easy. The Huskies scored on their opening drive of the game, but missed the extra point to take a 6-0 early lead. The Lions came back and secured the lead for good on a 22-yard run by quarterback Ryan Mitchell with 4:12 to play in the first quarter. The defense for both sides then took control of the game until the Lions looked as though they would put it all but out of reach with under five minutes to play.

RB Nick Brown broke through the line deep in Husky territory and looked as if he would score but the ball was forced from his hands on the one-yard line and trickled through the end zone for a Husky touchback.

Oak Park then marched the ball down to the Lions 16-yard line and attempted a 33-yard field goal as time expired. Fortunately for the Lions, the kick was wide right, and a bit short, assuring them their first victory of the season.

Up next for LT are the always tough York Dukes, this Friday at Bennett Field.

LT FALLS TO RIVAL HINSDALE CENTRAL 33-7

Both the rain and the Lions fell hard Friday night at Bennett Field in Western Springs.

After LT scored on the third play from scrimmage to take an early 7-0 lead, highly ranked rival Hinsdale Central went on to score 33 straight points to close out the game.

Red Devils running back Rich Zajeski proved too much for the Lions defense to contain. He ran for 168 yards on eight carries scoring three touchdowns for visiting Hinsdale Central.

The turning point of the game came late in the first quarter when Central blocked a LT punt and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown, taking a 14-7 lead that they would not give up.

Also notable was the fact that the Lions lost three of ten fumbles, bringing their season total to 11 lost fumbles and contributing greatly to their 0-3 start.

The Lions look to get into the win column next Saturday in Oak Park, a 1:30 p.m. game against the Oak Park-River Forest Huskies.