Saturday, October 29, 2011
J.J. Robertson scored two touchdowns and Lincoln-Way East rolled to a 35-7 victory over Plainfield South on Friday night in Frankfort.
Lincoln-Way East marched 82 yards in three plays and J.J. Robertson scored the Griffins' first touchdown in a 35-7 victory over Plainfield South in the opening round of the Class 7A football playoffs on Friday night in Frankfort. The victory was the 10th straight for the Griffins and sends them into Round 2 next weekend against Wheaton Warrenville South. Wheaton Warrenville defeated Providence Catholic 23-16. Plainfield South didn't go down without putting up a bit of a fit. The Cougars tied the score 7-7 and intercepted a Blake Winkler pass. But East's D-Line "Tarzan package" kept Plainfield South from scoring again by stopping the Cougars on a fourth-down play. Jay Yancy scored on a 47-yard pass from Winkler to give East a 14-7 lead. …
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Lincoln-Way East High School
201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL
/articles/lincoln-way-east-sails-through-round-one-of-the-play-offs-against-plainfield-south
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011
As playoffs approach Rob Zvonar sets his own rules, builds long-lasting relationships with his players and keeps his perspective on coaching, football and life.
On a dark day in mid-October, the man standing in the center of Lincoln-Way East’s defensive huddle looks like an ordinary football coach. Rob Zvonar is dressed for the part, wearing royal blue and black athletic gear, the colors true to his school. The layers are designed to keep rain and chill out. What he lets in is most important here. The questions from his players in a brief wrap-up session on the south end of East’s TurfField are evidence of a commonplace dialogue in Zvonar’s classroom. He is an extraordinary individual, one who teaches life lessons along with football skills, not in a classroom room with desks lined neatly in rows, rather his is canvas and easel that stretches 53 1/3 yards across and 120 yards in length, sideline-…
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Lincoln-Way East High School
201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL
/articles/l-w-east-griffins-football-coach-rob-zvonar
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The contenders: Marian's Sylvie Brick, Tinley Park's Kyle Sheridan, Providence's Telly Korbakes, Richards' Tommy Mister, LW East's J.J. Robertson and Sandburg's Frankie Saban.
Give us a hand and pick our Patch Athlete of the Week in the Southland for the week ending Oct. 9. Vote for one of the following (or write in your own candidate in the comments): Sylvie Brick, senior, golfer, Marian Catholic. Brick shot 75 and defeated teammate Bree Veazey in a playoff to capture medalist honors in the Class AA Homewood-Flossmoor Regional at Coyote Run. The two set the pace in the Spartans’ runaway girls golf victory. Telly Korbakes, senior, golfer, Providence. Korbakes shot a 1-over 73 to claim medalist honors in the Class 3A Minooka Regional at Heritage Bluffs. He led the Celtics to the boys golf regional championship with a team total of 308. Tommy Mister, sophomore, quarterback, Richards. Mister accounted for four …
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Harold L. Richards High School
10601 Central Ave, Oak Lawn, IL
/articles/your-turn-pick-our-patch-athlete-of-the-week
327614
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Friday, October 7, 2011
Lincoln-Way East 42, Lincoln-Way Central 7: J.J. Robertson scores three TDs in the first half as the Griffins beat the Knights for the 11th straight time dating back to 2002.
Breaking It Down: Lincoln-Way East scored on its first two offensive plays from scrimmage Friday night, and Lincoln-Way Central never responded as the visiting Griffins built a 42-0 lead at halftime to induce the running clock in New Lenox. With their 42-7 victory, the Griffins improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the Southwest Suburban Blue. Junior Nick Colangelo scored on an 80-yard run just 14 seconds into the game and Griffins quarterback connected with J.J. Robertson on a 75-yard touchdown pass on the team's second possession to make it 14-0. Robertson added two more touchdown catches in the first half. The Knights failed to find the end zone in the opening half and had only 97 yards of total offense by halftime. Patch's MVP: Lincoln-…
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Lincoln-Way East High School
201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL
/articles/football-l-way-east-routs-l-way-central-to-stay-unbeaten
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41.51133
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1801 E Lincoln Hwy, New Lenox, IL
/articles/football-l-way-east-routs-l-way-central-to-stay-unbeaten
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Friday, September 30, 2011
Lincoln-Way East 20, Bolingbrook 14: Griffins dig out of a 14-0 deficit thanks to the play of Kevin Bayer and Blake Winkler, as they run their record to 6-0.
Breaking It Down: Led by quarterback Blake Winkler and defensive end/running back Kevin Bayer, Lincoln-Way East rallied from a 14-0 deficit to beat host Bolingbrook 20-14 on Friday night in a SouthWest Suburban Blue battle of unbeatens. East fell behind 14-0 as Bolingbrook quarterback Aaron Gabriel broke through the Griffins defense for 59-yard and 86-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter. The Griffins pulled within 14-6 on a 59-yard touchdown pass from Winkler to Justin Corbett midway through the second quarter. They tied the game on a 14-yard run by Winkler and a two-point conversion pass from Winkler to Jay Yancy in the third quarter. East pulled ahead for good on a 13-yard TD run by Bayer with 5:09 remaining in the game. Patch's MVP…
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Lincoln-Way East High School
201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL
/articles/football-lincoln-way-east-rallies-to-remain-unbeaten
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Patch Sports Editor Ron Kremer makes his 5 Hot Picks for Friday night's high school football games. What do you think?
1. Lincoln-Way East (5-0) at Bolingbrook (5-0), 7:30. Quick Take: All eyes will be on the play of the Raiders’ secondary vs. East quarterback Blake Winkler. Winkler can use his legs to get out of trouble if the pocket collapses around him. He has a talented receiving corps headed by Illini recruit J.J. Robertson. Pick: Lincoln-Way East. 2. Thornton (4-1) at Lincoln-Way West (3-2), 7:30. Quick Take: Wildcats have won three straight since falling 14-10 at Naperville North. Warriors need a win to create a logjam atop the Southwest Suburban Red standings. Pick: Thornton. 3. Oak Lawn (3-2) at Evergreen Park (3-2), 7. Quick Take: Playoff game in Week 6? Well, that’s how this one shapes up. The winner boosts its postseason stock. Pick: Evergreen …
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Tinley Park High School
6111 175th St, Tinley Park, IL
/articles/high-school-football-kremers-5-hot-picks
320440
/locations/5487706
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lincoln-Way East's Blake Winkler threw for 230 yards and four touchdowns as the Griffins took care of business in the rain in a 31-7 victory over Sandburg.
A rivalry game. Two undefeated conference foes. Homecoming. And rain. Everyone knew it was going to be a wet and wild football game when Lincoln-Way East and Sandburg took to the field Friday night. Even in the rain, East quarterback Blake Winkler seemed to have no trouble throwing the ball, going 14-of-24 for 230 yards and four touchdowns, leading the charge in the Griffins' 31-7 victory. And, by the way, only four of those completions came in the second half. Winkler is in his second year heading a high-powered Griffin offense, one that can score from anywhere, but in this case was set up with good field position. The weather arguably caused a mishandled punt snap, giving the Griffins the ball and a first-and-goal on the 10. Winkler …
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Lincoln-Way East High School
201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL
/articles/l-w-east-footballs-winkler-can-throw-whatever-the-weather
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Lincoln-Way East senior defensive lineman Matt Solner might not provide the glitz, but is making big hits for the Griffins this season.
There’s no doubt that football fans love high scoring, especially when it involves big-time plays by exceptional players at the skilled positions. The Lincoln-Way East football team has averaged 42.5 points in its first four games and has three flashy playmakers in quarterback Blake Winkler and wide receivers Jay Yancy and J.J. Robertson. Often, the high-octane offense of a team can overshadow the efforts of its defensive counterparts. The Griffins have surrendered 14 points per game and just 56 points overall. One of the leaders of their defensive unit is senior lineman Matt Solner. The 6-foot-2, 260-pound Solner also has launched into the fireworks on offense as he scored on a touchdown run in the team’s opening win against Edwardsville…
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Lincoln-Way East High School
201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL
/articles/on-his-game-old-school-solner-has-l-w-east-football-streaking
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Led by quarterback Blake Winkler, running back Tyler Starke and wide receiver J.J. Robertson, the Griffins should have defensive coordinators reaching for antacids all fall.
Coach: Rob Zvonar, 12th season. Last year: 9-2 overall, 7-0 in the Southwest Suburban Blue. Opener: Aug. 26 vs. Edwardsville at Illinois State University, Normal, 6 p.m. Outlook: The Griffins have been consistently good and with plenty of talent returning, especially at the skill positions, and a solid mix of talent filling in holes created by graduation, they should again be a force in the difficult Southwest Suburban Blue. Although the conference has been tough, the Griffins have won or shared titles in six of the past nine seasons. Quarterback Blake Winkler (21 TD passes in 2010) gives the team a tremendous scoring weapon against any opponent. Backs: You couldn’t have asked for more from Winkler last fall. As a junior, he threw for just…
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Lincoln-Way East High School
201 Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL
/articles/l-w-east-footballs-offensive-juggernaut-ready-for-takeoff
1601454
/locations/5122421
Jim Collins
2:06 pm on Wednesday, December 7, 2011
I know I'm a little late in seeing this article, but I still feel as though it is worthy to post a comment. I watched Rob play for Monticello High School under Hud Venerable watchful eye. I believe I was probably 11 or 12 years old at the time and Monticello was on a 4-year tear through the IHSA. This winning tradition was started and led by middle linebacker Rob Zvonar and man could that guy hit… more ›