Football: Lincoln-Way East Holds Strong After Lightning to Beat Joliet West

The Lincoln-Way East Griffins varsity football team faced a formidable challenge Friday night in the Joliet West Tigers, but were able to keep the cats at bay to win 35-28.

The Tigers were first on the board Friday night with a short pass in for a touchdown in the second quarter. Before halftime, the Griffins answered with two touchdowns of their own. Another Tigers touchdown left the score tied at 14 at the half.

Joliet West claimed the lead again in the third quarter, but again the Griffins answered with a touchdown, leaving the score tied at 21 to start the fourth quarter.

The Griffins took the lead again with a touchdown in the fourth quarter, before the Griffins’ Deji Olaleye intercepted a pass near the 50-yard-line, running it back to about the 27-yard-line, according to a Sun Times Media report. A lightning strike put the game on hold for about 90 minutes, but once back on the field, the Griffins padded their lead with another touchdown by running back Malik Carter and led 35-21.

Carter played after his mother passed away on Friday. He earned 100 yards on 20 carries, along with the touchdown, in an admirable and strong effort.

But the gap wouldn’t last long, as the Tigers came roaring back to drive 70 yards for a touchdown, and the Griffins punting back to them with 2:31 on the clock, according to Sun Times Media.

Joliet West pushed all the way to Lincoln-Way East’s 25-yard-line, but had to turn the ball over on downs, unable to convert on 4th down with six yards to go.

The Griffins are now at a 5-1 record, while the Tigers are 2-4 for the season.

Read more game highlights in the Sun Times Media report.