FRANKFORT — Lincoln-Way senior quarterback Tommy Fuessel had the first, second -- and final -- say on Saturday in a Class 7A quarterfinal round game against Edwardsville.
Displaying his blazing speed for three runs of 50 yards or more, Fuessel rushed for 258 yards and three touchdowns as the Griffins coasted to a 40-10 win.
Taking advantage of a first quarter turnover Edwardsville (10-2) grabbed a 3-0 lead on a 33-yard field goal by Brandon Baker. But with wind at their backs in the second quarter the top-seeded Griffins took charge.
Fuessel, who has given a verbal commitment to at attend Northern Illinois University, galloped 69 yards for a touchdown with 11:30 left in the first half to give his team the lead for good.
Nick Colangelo added a 4-yard run and Fuessel added the Griffins third score in an eight minute span when he tallied on a 24-yard run with 3:53 left in the first half.
Fuessel finished the first half with 180 yards on the ground.
"He's a play maker. He's a difference maker,'' Edwardsville coach Matt Martin said of Fuessel. "The wind played a factor, but even without the wind, they (LW-East) were the better team. They dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football.''
Ranked in the top three in the Class 7A poll all season, the Griffins (12-0) will advance to the semifinals next week where they will take on Benet Academy.
Benet Academy defeated Downers Grove North 26-24 in another quarterfinal round game on Saturday.
