Lockport's O'Donnell runs wild

LOCKPORT -- Ryan O'Donnell was listed as a defensive back in the Lockport High School football program.

But the 5-foot-11, 190-pound senior has been doing well at the running back position.

On Friday, O'Donnell rushed for a season-high 236 yards on 41 carries to help power the Porters to a 23-6 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a Southwest Suburban Conference crossover.

In the first half alone, O'Donnell had already gained 174 yards in 24 carries. That effort, which included 103 first-quarter yards, helped the Porters (3-1) to a 16-6 halftime over the Vikings (1-3).

"Ryan O'Donnell is a real workhorse," Lockport coach Bret Kooi said. "He reads his holes well, uses his offensive line very well and runs hard. He punishes people."

The Porters fumbled on their first possession. H-F's Aaron Phillips eventually scored on a 2-yard run.

But O'Donnell was not to be denied in the opening half. He scored on TD runs of 5 and 7 yards in the first quarter.

"Ryan ran so well tonight and the offensive line did the job," Kooi said. "By us controlling the ball on offense, we kept's H-F's potent offense off the field. That was important in how we won the game."

Lockport's defense, which limited the Vikings to 61 first-half rushing yards, was instrumental in a field goal late in the first half.

Lockport junior linebacker Joe Zander blocked an H-F punt late in the second quarter. That eventually led to a 23-yard field from Patrick Cavanaugh, who also had a second-half interception.

Cavanaugh's kick occurred with 2:01 left in the first half and gave Lockport its 16-6 cushion.

The Porters' other second-half interception was by Andrei Mayes.

For the game, Lockport finished with 369 yards, including 249 rushing and 120 passing by junior quarterback Kyle Billig.

"I can't be more pleased with our effort, on both sides of the ball," Kooi said. "Kyle Billig did a nice job of directing the offense. And once again, our ground game was able to control the clock and keep H-F off the field. That was so important in the outcome."

The final touchdown came with 9:38 remaining in the game. O'Donnell capped a 66-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown run.

The effort by O'Donnell gives him 392 yards in 86 carries in four games, a 4.6 yards per carry average.

The victory should give Lockport some momentum entering Friday's Southwest Suburban Conference Blue opener at Sandburg.

"This win tonight was obviously a big win for us," Kooi said. "We don't have any easy games left.

"We don't have any superstars on this team. But we are playing well and hopefully we can carry some of this victory into next week's game against Sandburg."

The Vikings finished with 272 yards, including 194 on the ground and 78 passing.

"I couldn't be more impressed with the results of this game," Kooi said. "Again, H-F is so explosive. To limit them to just six points says volumes about how well our defense played.

"This was a tremendous team effort from start to finish. The players should be proud about how they played."