Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Lincoln-Way East strikes early to end West's season

Chicago-area team is next for for O'Fallon

FRANKFORT -- Lincoln-Way East rolled to an easy 35-7 win over Belleville West on Friday in the opening round of the IHSA Class 7A playoffs behind a balanced offensive attack.

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

East piled up 390 yards of total offense and scored touchdowns on its first four possessions. The onslaught began when the Griffins' defense forced an opening three and out of the Maroons on their first possession. Belleville West had to punt into the wind from its 19 giving East the ball at the Maroons' 44.

Griffins' running back 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," said East quarterback Ryne Van Gennep. "When they make big plays, we respond and we put the ball in the end zone."

After another East defensive stop, the Griffins' offense set up shop at the Maroons' 45. East's 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.

The Maroons' Sedrick Spillers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving East the ball at the Belleville 18. Van Gennep then went up top to receiver Brandyn Jackson for an 18-yard-scoring pass on the next play to make it 21-0 with 11:40 to play.

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

"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 to the Maroons' 45. Six plays later, the same two connected on a 7-yard completion to move the ball to the 7. Starke carried it in from the 7 on the next play to make it 35-0 with 6:10 to play in the third quarter.

"My night started with the offensive line," said Starke who scored three times. "The offensive line did their job tonight and 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.

The Maroons scored their touchdown when defensive back Jake Wagner blocked an East punt and returned it four yards for the score with 2:13 to play in the third quarter.

Griffins coach Rob Zvonar was happy with his team's play against a tough team from the metro-east area.

"We got the stop early on D and played field position with the wind, and our offense certainly capitalized. They continue to be evenly balanced by mixing up the run and the pass. The key word on offense continues to be execute. That's what they have been doing week in and week out,' he said.

"They ran some great schemes with the mid-line veer option, so we knew we had our work cut out for us on defense," Zvonar added. "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.