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Lyons topples Downers Grove North from ranks of unbeatens
Trojan QB David Edwards pitches the ball to RB Brandon Salter during the West Suburban Conference matchup between host Lyons Township and Downers Grove North Friday September 14, 2012 in Western Springs.
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Updated: September 18, 2012 5:45PM
WESTERN SPRINGS — Based on the opening drive of the game when Lyons faced off against Downers Grove North Friday night, it would have been difficult to determine which team entered the game with two losses and which was undefeated.
The Lions marched down the field and capped a seven-play, 72-yard drive with a 26-yard scoring strike from Zach Mahoney to Jemari Burks. They never looked back, while rolling to a 31-0 West Suburban Silver victory in Western Springs, and dropping the Trojans (3-1, 1-1) from the ranks of the unbeaten.
“Coach (Kurt Weinberg) has been talking to us all week about hard work in practice and just to go hard every play of the game,” said Burks. “We wanted to come out with a win, we fell back a couple of games, but that did not stop us.”
Mahoney and Burks also connected on Lyons’ first score of the second half, when Mahoney scrambled and eluded several tackles before connecting with Burks for an 18-yard TD strike. Jake Elliot’s PAT kick gave Lyons a 17-0 lead with just over three minutes left in the third quarter.
Mahoney, a senior, completed 18-of-24 passes for 218 yards. Burks was his favorite target, grabbing seven passes for 90 yards.
Turnovers plagued Downers North all night, as Kevin Pikul intercepted two Trojan pass attempts, and Jimmy Heim added another pick. Jimmy Mitchell recovered a fumble for Lyons (2-2, 1-1) in the closing seconds of the third quarter.
Trevon Woods led all rushers with 123 yards on 11 carries, and Victor Conforti and Izzy Hernandez each added rushing TD’s for the Lions.
Downers North did manage to move the ball on the ground, as quarterback David Edwards collected 77 yards on 19 carries, and Brandon Salter rushed for 69 yards.
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Sept. 20 to read more about the Lyons football team.
