Lockport in OT thriller over Richards

LOCKPORT -- The heroes were many for the Lockport High School football team on Friday night as the Porters pulled out a 37-36 overtime victory over Richards in nonconference play.

Richards (1-1) had taken a 30-23 lead on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jon Ryan to Keith Sconiers on a fourth-and-seven with 1:19 remaining in regulation.

The Bulldogs tacked on a 2-point conversion run to lead 30-23.

Before that touchdown play, Richards trailed 23-22.

But Lockport answered back immediately on the first play from scrimmage following a kickoff. Senior quarterback Kyle Billig hit Nick Pleva down the left sideline with a 57-yard touchdown strike.

Brian Cavanaugh's extra-point tied the game 30-30 with 1:04 to play.

"I knew I was open on the pass," Pleva said. "Kyle found me with a perfect pass and we got what we needed.

"This was the most exciting game I've been in."

The Lockport defense turned back Richards on a big stand at the Porters' 24 and the game went into overtime.

On the first play in overtime, Lockport's Dan "The Tank" Holman burst up the middle for 10 yards and a touchdown.

The conversion kick made it 37-30.

"I just stayed behind my offensive line and kept running," Holman said. "This win felt great."

Holman finished with 27 carries for 206 yards rushing. He also added a 43-yard TD run in the first quarter.

Richards then had a fourth-and-goal situation from the 17. Ryan found Johnny Holmes on a 17-yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone.

The Bulldogs called timeout to set up a 2-point conversion play which would have won the game.

But Porter senior defensive back Max Pancoska came in on a blitz and pressured Ryan into an incomplete pass as the Porters (2-0) celebrated a second straight win.

"I just did what I was supposed to do on the play," Pancoska said. "It was a smash blitz and I just came in and was able to blind side him and I knew I had to make the play.

"I let the touchdown pass go and I had to redeem myself. It is a fantastic win for us."

Richards had taken a 14-13 lead at halftime on a 56-yard touchdown run by Ryan on a scramble with 1:05 left.

The Porters rallied and took a 20-14 lead on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Billig to Jordan Broadway, the Joliet Township transfer.

That was the second time that Billig and Broadway connected for a score. Broadway hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Billig in the first half to put Lockport ahead 13-6.

Billig finished 6-of-14 passing for 151 yards and 3 TDs. Broadway caught 4 passes for 75 yards.

"It was ugly and we must have had 200 yards in penalties," Lockport coach Bret Kooi said. "But we were able to get it done.

"It was back-and-forth all the way, but we made the plays when we needed to make them. What an effort."