Lemont can bring title home

Lemont coach Eric Michaelsen talks to his players following a win in the Class 6A semifinals. Tonight they'll compete for the state title.

(Larry Kane/Special to The Herald News)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

The Lemont High School football team has put the proper positive spin on last season's visit to the Class 6A state championship game in Champaign.

The Indians used that game as a learning experience. They complimented their conqueror, Joliet Catholic Academy, and went to work hoping to return to the title game this season, but against an opponent a bit more human.

But then came the semifinals. Sacred Heart-Griffin beat Providence Catholic 24-17 in New Lenox and was impressive enough that the popular feeling -- at least among those I have spoken with -- is that Saturday's 1 p.m. Class 6A state championship game at the University of Illinois in Champaign will be a very difficult assignment for Lemont.

I will go along with that, but I still am picking the Indians.

Oh, sure, there are things that must go their way. But in large part, they are factors the Indians can control.

For example, all season Lemont has been a team capable of driving the ball and scoring points. Against Sacred Heart-Griffin, the plan will be to move the chains, take precious time off the clock and score touchdowns at the end of those journeys.

Sacred Heart-Griffin features a monster spread-gun offense, but it's not nearly as effective when all the main pieces of that offense are standing on the sideline.

That's where Lemont's veteran offensive line comes into play. Junior tailback Danny Hayes has had a remarkable season, but he will not be going anywhere against the Sacred Heart-Griffin defense unless the Indians line wins the battle in the trenches.

Along with that, of course, comes protecting the ball. There is no guarantee the team that wins the turnover battle will win on the scoreboard, but the odds are that will happen.

Sacred Heart-Griffin has been especially good at protecting the ball all season, but Lemont's defense has been adept at forcing turnovers. The four fumbles Antioch lost in a 38-14 semifinal loss at Lemont is evidence of that.

Lemont's offense also has been respectable in terms of not turning the ball over. That must continue Saturday. You can't give those Cyclones the short field, that's for sure.

Big plays are another potential issue. The Indians defense must prevent the big plays Sacred Heart-Griffin is prone to make, both offensively and on special teams. Wouldn't it be nice, from a Lemont perspective, if the Indians were the team making one or two more big plays come Saturday?

If Lemont can get off to a good start, control the ball, put the ball in the end zone when opportunities present themselves, avoid turnovers and prevent Sacred Heart-Griffin's game-changing plays, the Indians can win their first state football title.

I know what you're thinking -- that's too many ifs. But when you are up against a great opponent, you win by playing a great game.

This Lemont team can get it done.