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Ross scores three TDs in his Lyons debut against York
Western Springs, IL - Saturday, October 6, 2012: York's Connor O'Malley (8) fights for yards vs Lyons Township. | Steve Johnston~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 9, 2012 11:56AM
WESTERN SPRINGS — Leonard Ross only practiced with the varsity on Thursday this week, but it didn’t seem to matter Saturday.
Lyons’ leading rusher, Trevon Woods, sprained the MCL in his left knee in practice Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Lyons already was without season-opening starter Victor Conforti (broken hand), so Ross was called up from the sophomore team.
In a 49-21 rout over visiting York, Ross rushed for 118 yards on nine carries and scored three touchdowns in his varsity debut. Lyons (3-4, 2-3 West Suburban Silver) had lost three of its last four games entering the homecoming contest, but kept its playoff hopes alive with the victory.
“Leonard is an excellent football player,” Lyons coach Kurt Weinberg said. “It was tough to see Tre go down.”
Ross spent time with the varsity over the summer, but played this season with the sophomore team after injuring his right foot in the preseason.
Lyons scored on each of its first five possessions.
Lyons senior quarterback Zach Mahoney (11-for-15, 263 yards, 3 TDs) piled up some gaudy numbers, as Weinberg reached deep into the playbook
Lyons opened the game with five receivers and no running back, went to a no-huddle spread offense and even unveiled the Wildcat formation with Northwestern-bound Matthew Harris completing a 9-yard pass to Mahoney in the second quarter.
Lyons’ first play from scrimmage was Mahoney’s 99-yard TD pass to Jemari Burks (3 catches, 143 yards) after Matt Mrazek intercepted a York pass at Lyons’ 1 to end York’s opening drive. Harris, who missed the last three games after suffering a chest injury against Glenbard West, started the game at receiver and completed 2-of-3 passes for 36 yards out of the Wildcat. He caught four passes for 66 yards in the first half.
“We practiced all week on that. It was too crazy. It was a lot of fun,” Mahoney said of his first varsity reception.
Lyons has no room for a letdown while chasing a playoff berth. Lyons plays at Proviso West Friday night and hosts West Suburban Gold leader Leyden to end the season.
York (0-7, 0-4) has lost eight in a row after going 9-2 last season. It scored its first TD with 1:09 remaining in the second half on Jordan Peacock’s 3-yard run, as Lyons led 42-7 at halftime.
“Obviously, we have two more weeks to play football, which is a good thing. It’s a great game to play,” York first-year coach Steve Nye said.
