Van Gennep, Starke spark East blowout

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FRANKFORT -- Behind a balanced offensive attack, the Lincoln-Way East football team rolled to an easy 35-7 win over Belleville West in the opening round of the Class 7A playoffs Friday night.

East (9-1) will play at O'Fallon next weekend after making quick work of the Maroons (5-5).

The Griffins piled up 390 yards of total offense and scored touchdowns on their first four possessions. The onslaught began when the Griffins' defense forced an opening three and out of the Maroons on their first possession.

Senior wingback Kevin Starke scored on a 1-yard-run to cap a nine-play drive to make it 7-0 with 6:23 to play in the first quarter.

"The defense sets the tone for what we do," East quarterback Ryne Van Gennep said. "When they make big plays, we respond and we put the ball in the endzone."

After another defensive stop, the East offense set up shop at the Maroons' 45. Van Gennep directed an eight-play drive which Starke capped with a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0 with 11:55 to play in the second quarter. Van Gennep completed three passes for 38 yards on the scoring drive.

After Belleville West fumbled the subsequent kickoff, Van Gennep then went to wide receiver Brandyn Jackson for an 18-yard TD pass on to make it 21-0 at 11:40 left.

East finished the first-half scoring by marching 80 yards in 12 plays. Van Gennep connected with receiver Alex Evans on a 6-yard pass to make it 28-0 with 2:06 left.

"We came out ready to play. We were really looking forward to this game," said Van Gennep, who finished 15-of-18 for 186 yards and two touchdowns. "I think it all started up front with the O-line. They really got after it. They protected the backs and helped us make plays."

The Griffins opened the third quarter with the ball at their own 5. Two plays into the drive, Starke broke loose for a 12-yard run. Three plays later, Van Gennep hit Jackson with a short pass that he turned into a 27-yard gain.Starke scored on a 7-yarder to make it 35-0 at 6:10 left.

"My night started with the offensive line," said Starke, who scored three times. "That helped me to do my job. After the defense got off the field with that first drive, it set the tone for us. It's the playoffs. We came out trying to have fun and do our jobs at the same time."

Starke finished with 80 yards on 15 carries.

Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar was happy with his team's play against a tough team from the St. Louis metro area.

"We got the stop early on 'D' and played field position with the wind and our offense certainly capitalized," he said. "We continue to be evenly balanced by mixing up the run and the pass. The key word on offense continues to be execute.

"They ran some great schemes with the mid-line veer option, so we knew we had our work cut out for us on defense. We hadn't seen a team that all year, and I thought our defense executed very well."

The Griffins held the Maroons to eight first downs and 82 yards of total offense, all on the ground.