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46 | September 27, 2018 | The Mokena Messenger sports mokenamessenger.com Henning returns, defense dominates in Griffins win Jon DePaolis Freelance Reporter It was just one play, but it may be a sign of things to come. If nothing else, it showed the potential of an offense finally at full strength midway through the regular season. The Lincoln-Way East football team already was up 10-0 over Lincoln-Way Central 12 seconds into the second quarter Friday, Sept. 21, in Frankfort. On the first play of a new offensive series at the East 46-yard line, senior quarterback Jack Baltz took the snap and appeared to hand the ball off to his running back. But it was all a ruse — one that even those in the stands bit on. Streaking down the field was East junior A.J. Henning, the star wide receiver/ running back who dominated teams last season with his speed, but who had missed the first four weeks of the season this year because of left hip flexor injury. Baltz, who hadn’t handed the ball off, settled his feet and hurled a bomb to hit a wide open Henning 25-plus yards away. Henning caught the pass and sprinted to the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown — opening the flood gates for a 38-0 rout for East over Central in Week 5. “Baltz … he sort of faked it behind, and I came off the line pretty slow, and then cut it into a post,” Henning said of the play. “He just threw it up and made a nice throw.” Was Henning surprised to be all alone out in the middle of the field? Not after everyone bit on the fake. “Everyone!” he said. “I saw the corner come up immediately, and I knew it was a touchdown, because I Box Score knew Baltz would air it out.” Then, it was just a matter of making sure he caught the ball. “All you’re thinking is, ‘Don’t drop it,’” he said, laughing. East offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Joel Pallissard said the play originated during the Cory Paus years — back when Lincoln- Way was one school. “We ran it a little bit different than we ran it back then, because we were in the double wing back then,” Pallissard said. He said this new version of the play was discussed by the coaches the Sunday prior to the game. They felt it might work, given their personnel. “We were pretty heavy on the run [plays] in that formation,” Pallissard said. “With A.J., he draws a lot of attention. It might not work, because he draws that much attention. But the way our fake went, and the guys really sold it well, and Jack and [running back] Devon [Williams] were unbelievable in the back. Our tight ends blocked really well, and our guys really sold it.” Pallissard also credited East wide receiver Chase Anderson, who carried on with his route on the other side of the field to keep one of Central’s safeties honest in coverage. 1 2 3 4 f LW East 10 14 7 7 38 LW Central 0 0 0 0 0 Top Performers: 1. AJ Henning (LWE) WR/RB - 3 receptions, 58 yards, TD; 5 runs, 77 yards 2. Devon Williams (LWE) RB - 8 runs, 152 yards, 2 TD 3. Sean McLaughlin (LWE) DL - 2 sacks Anderson was rewarded later on the game, when Baltz connected with him on a 63-yard touchdown play in the final minute of the first half. Baltz (8-of-11, 165 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs) said he felt the Griffins were successful through the air on those big plays because of how they established the run early in the game. “We were able to really work on our stretches, and the inside run was working, so we had everybody biting on it — so the deep vertical game was definitely open,” Baltz said. The Griffins’ running game continued to shred opponents in Week 5, with junior Devon Williams leading the way. He had eight carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns — one coming on a 74-yard run on the first offensive snap of the second half. East senior Jordan Corbett also had a big night, running for 106 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. And while he didn’t find the end zone on a run play, Henning still gained 77 yards on just five carries — highlighting just how many options the Griffins’ offense has now that it is back at full-strength. “Tonight, I think we showed flashes of how could we can be,” Henning said. Lincoln-Way East wide receiver A.J. Henning — back in his first game of the season Friday, Sept. 21 — looks to make a move on a Lincoln-Way Central defender. The Griffins posted their third consecutive shutout in the 38-0 win over the Knights. Photos by Julie McMann/22nd Century Media “I think now it’s just to keep building off of what we did tonight, and keep getting better week to week.” The East offense also got a 39-yard field goal from Dominic Dzioban. Not to be overlooked, however, is the performance of the East defense — which has now shut out three straight opponents in Andrew, Sandburg and Central. Kenny Palmer intercepted a pass from Central quarterback Bryce Hayes early in the game, and East got four sacks — one each from Mick Stewart and Jacob Kramer, and two from Sean McLaughlin. “We’ve been practicing hard all summer and all weeklong, and we just try to go out there and dominate on every play,” McLaughlin said. “It just happened to fire on all cylinders tonight.” East coach Rob Zvonar said the defense continued to impress in Week 5. Count The Griffins’ Chase Anderson escapes a tackle and runs in a touchdown. him among those impressed. “This group has taken just a little bit to hit their stride, but we’re starting to see some of that leadership and their football IQ [improving],” he said. Zvonar credited the scout team for prepping the defense on what Central would run on offense. “That’s a difficult offense to simulate,” he said. “They have a lot of unique formations.” With the win, East improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in conference. Next up for the Griffins is Homewood- Flossmoor (5-0) for a Week 6 matchup at home in Frankfort. Central dropped to (3-2) overall and 3-1 in conference. Central hosts Stagg (2- 3) in Week 6.
mokenamessenger.com sports the Mokena Messenger | September 27, 2018 | 47 fastbreak 22nd Century Media File Photo 1st-and-3 Boys golf storylines 1. Sophomore standouts Sophomores lead the way for the Knights. For Central, it’s Sean Curran (above). The basketball and golf standout averages 37, as well. 2. Tie score Central and West tied in their conference matchup on Aug. 15. The Warriors boast a 8-1-1 dual record, while the Knights are 6-2-1. 3. Battle at regionals Central, West and Providence will compete at the Joliet Central Regional, Tuesday, Oct. 2, at Inwood Golf Course. Nine area teams will compete for the Top 3 spots to advance to sectionals in Edwardsville. Girls tennis Knights note improvements despite loss RANDY WHALEN Freelance Reporter When the SouthWest Suburban Conference meets take place next week, both Lincoln-Way Central and Lockport Township will be looking to repeat as conference champs in their respective divisions. So the two teams tuned up for that last week when they meet in a makeup match on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at Lockport. There the host Porters had a bit of a lineup mix, but still emerged with a 6-1 victory in the match. The meet was rescheduled from Thursday, Sept. 6, when it was washed out because of rain. Lockport was without its top doubles team of twins Bri and Cassidy Hillock. That’s because Bri was out sick and, as a result, Cassidy There is plenty of trash talking to be done because our picks were garbage in Week 5. There is a shakeup at No. 1 as Joe raced passed Heather, whose rare bad week brought her into the Vorva/Czaja/ Sanchez abyss. Game of the Week: • Homewood-Flossmoor (5-0) at Lincoln- Way East (5-0) Other Games to Watch • Lincoln-Way West (3-2) at Sandburg (2-3) • Stagg (2-3)at Lincoln-Way Central (2-3) • Andrew (4-1) at Thornridge (1-4) • Hillcrest (5-0) at Tinley Park (2-3) • Hope Academy (4-1) at Providence (4-1) • Bolingbrook (4-1) at Lockport (0-5) sat out of the lineup. But it didn’t matter much as the Porters (12-4, 3-0 in the SWSC Blue) still pulled out a majority of the matches, including two in super tiebreakers. Those were by junior Jessica Polino and senior Avi Harris with 5-7, 6-4, 11-9 victory over Central sophomore Micaela Cesta and junior Lily Malas at No. 2 doubles. Also, at third doubles, it was the Porter pair of Mia Jenczmionka and Caitlinn Oseiwith a 3-6, 6-3, 10-6 win over fellow seniors Karleen Meding and Ami Smentek. Lockport also captured the fourth doubles match as Meagan Paramo and Ieva Skeberdis defeated Caroline Erdman and Josie Haas (6- 2, 7-5) in another all senior matchup. But the Knights (8-5, 3-0 n the SWSC Red) took home the top doubles match as the sister tandem of junior Emma Rimkunas and freshman Kara Rimkunas had a 6-4, 6-3 win over senior Maddy Grcevic and sophomore Kamila Kalinowska. “I thought our girls played their best tennis of the year,” Central coach Sue Schneider said. “Despite the score there were some great points, great matches. “Last year we won the [SWSC Red Division] conference championship for the first time in 29 years. So playing the tough teams only betters our play. We know we have to up our play for the conference tourney and the postseason.” Central hasn’t won a sectional title since 2005 and is at the Lincoln-Way East Sectional this season. The Knights hope to compete for both the SWSC Red and the sectional championship in OUR STAFF’S PREDICTIONS FOR THE AREA GAMES IN WEEK 6 27-6 Joe Coughlin | Publisher • Lincoln-Way East 24, Homewood- Flossmoor 21. Maybe the two best in 8A. A.J. Henning back in action and home cooking make the difference for Griffins. • Lincoln-Way West • Lincoln-Way Central • Andrew • Tinley Park • Providence • Bolingbrook 25-8 Heather Warthen | Chief Operating Officer • Lincoln-Way East 21, Homewood- Flossmoor 20. This should be a great matchup, but Griffins will pull it out in the end. • Lincoln-Way West • Lincoln-Way Central • Andrew • Hillcrest • Providence • Bolingbrook 25-8 Jeff Vorva | Sports Editor • Lincoln-Way East 35, Homewood- Flossmoor 14. I don’t think there is a team in the state that can come within three touchdowns of the Griffins at this stage of the season. • Lincoln-Way West • Lincoln-Way Central • Andrew • Hillcrest • Providence • Bolingbrook Lincoln-Way Central No. 2 singles player Katie Klepser winds up for a forehand shot Sept. 19 during a match against Lockport Township in Lockport. James Sanchez/22nd Century Media the coming weeks. The Knights’ Kiana Sikich advanced to state in singles last season and wants to do that again. “I think as a team, playing the better players will only make us better,” she said. 24-9 Thomas Czaja | Editor • Lincoln-Way East 37, Homewood- Flossmoor 17. Vikings are toughest opponents of the regular season for the Griffins, but can’t pick anyone coming close to East at this point. • Lincoln-Way West • Lincoln-Way Central • Andrew • Hillcrest • Providence • Bolingbrook “We’re 3-0 in the conference and we’ve been practicing really hard. We all help each other. My goal is to get back to state. I just have to keep practicing my footwork and make better shots against the better players.” 24-9 James Sanchez | Contributing Editor • Lincoln-Way East 31, Homewood- Flossmoor 14. A.J. Henning’s return means problems for the Vikings • Lincoln-Way West • Lincoln-Way Central • Andrew • Hillcrest • Providence • Bolingbrook Listen Up “We have a decent chance but it’s not an easy route by any means, and you want to be tested early on.” Ryan Pohlmann – Lincoln-Way Central boys golf coach on the teams’ expectations for regional play. TUNE IN Football 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 • Lincoln-Way Central hosts Stagg for Homecoming and Class of 1963 Index 42 – Athlete of the Week 44 – This Week In FASTBREAK is compiled by Editor T.J. Kremer III, tj@ mokenamessenger.com.
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