Lions blank Reed-Custer

Last Friday night, the Lisle Lions traveled to historic Jeff Reents Stadium on the campus of Wilmington High School and fell to the host Wildcats 35-24.

In a special edition of Thursday Night Football at Benedictine University in Lisle, the host Lions took on the undefeated Comets of Reed Custer.

Reed-Custer had demolished Illinois Central 8 Conference title contender Manteno 33-8 in week one.

After taking the opening kickoff, the Lions marched 69 yards in 11 plays, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run by senior Brett Weber (15 carries, 61 yards, TD), for a 6-0 Lions lead. The Lions, behind an outstanding performance by their defense, roared to the 20-0 white-washing of the previously undefeated Comets (1-1.

The Lions D, led by senior defensive lineman Trevor Schertler (6-foot-2,225), sophomore defensive lineman Christopher Farrell (6-foot-5, 300), senior linebacker Josh Farrell (6-foot-4, 180) and junior defensive back Cole Campbell turned the Comets over on downs three occasions.

In the last minute of the first quarter, on a fourth and three at the Lions 31, Reed-Custer quarterback Jake McPherson (17 carries, 80 yards) was stuffed by the entire Lions D at the Lion 29.

Another 11 play Lions scoring drive went 71 yards and culminated with a 25-yard scoring strike from Lion junior quarterback Tyrese Watson (3-for-6, 72 yards, TD, INT) to receiver Josh Farrell (three catches, 72 yards, TD). The second Lion two-point conversion failed and the Lions led 12-0 with 9:36 remaining in the half.

"Tyrese is just learning how to play quarterback but you can see he is a natural," Josh Farrell said. "After last week's loss at Wilmington, we wanted to come out and punch Reed-Custer in the mouth. We did that big time tonight."

"Josh (Farrell) is my man," Watson said. "All I have to do is just throw the ball up in the air and Josh will grab it."

Reed-Custer's last drive of the game was turned away at the Lisle 40. With 11:30 left in the game, on a fourth and two at the Lions 42, Schertler ran down McPherson, stopping the Comet quarterback inches short of the first down.

Taking the Benedictine scoreboard clock with them, the Lions marched 70 yards on 14 running plays, led by Campbell (15 carries, 72 yards, TD, 2-point conversion.), as he crashed in from the three and then add a two-point conversion to give the Lions a 20-0 lead with 3:54 remaining in the game.

The two Farrells, Schertler and the entire Lions offensive line, cleared the road on the seven minute and 36 second scoring drive.

Josh Farrell added an interception late in the game to his outstanding performance.

Lions junior running back Gabe Quinones (14 carries, 86 yards) had a 27-yard run on the fourth quarter scoring drive.

"We came out and played as a team and bounced back from the Wilmington loss," Quinones said. "My offensive line did a great job blocking for me."

Up next for Lisle (1-1) is an Illinois Central 8 Conference battle at Coal City, Friday April 2 at 6 p.m.

"We had a great week of practice after the Wilmington loss," Campbell said. "Our defense was outstanding tonight. We ran our reads to perfection."

"This was a big win for us," Lisle head coach Paul Parpet said. "Reed-Custer hammered a very good Manteno team last week. We really took it to Reed-Custer, tonight. What an outstanding job by our defense. Three, fourth down stops and what about Cole Campbell? He never left the field as a two-way player. The Lion Way."