Lincoln-Way East at Providence Catholic
6:37: Hello everybody. Just arrived for the game, and expect a full house at Providence's beautiful stadium. By the way, the Celtics are winning the sophomore game halfway through the fourth quarter 14-7.
6:55: I talked to Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar a few seconds ago, and the Griffins look raring and ready to go for the opener. Providence is still in the locker room, with East lined up in the end zone. And the Griffins have forced a 14-14 tie in the sophomore game with 36 seconds to play.
7:20: It will be interesting to see how much of the spread Providence runs tonight. Judging by the warmups, I'm expecting to see some old-school, I-formation Celtics football.
7:29: East won the coin toss and deferred. Providence decided to receive.
7:41: Finally, kickoff. Pregames are getting longer and longer and longer ...
7:45: Well, that was fast. Tim Hanrahan followed a 59-yard run, stopped by a from-behind tackle by Alex Evans, with a 1-yard plunge. It's 7-0 Providence.
7:58: Timeout, East. The Griffins face 3rd-and-goal from the 5, their 16th play of the drive. And ... Touchdown, Spencer Stanek to Brandyn Jackson in the corner of the end zone. The extra-point was blocked, so it's still 7-6.
8:03: Fumble, Providence. East driving out of the spread.
8:08: End of quarter. It's 4th-and-4 for East and Griffins punt.
8:20: East running power out of double-wing down the field, now inside 20.
8:23: Kevin Starke plows in for a 2-yard TD out of the power-I, but 2-point conversion fails. East leads 12-7 with 4:35 left.
8:35: Providence calls third and final timeout before halftime, on the 23 with 63 seconds left.
8:40: Halftime. Despite 117 yards on 13 carries by Hanrahan, Providence trails 12-7. Stanek's accuracy (8-of-11, 73 yards) and scrambling ability have made a big difference for East.
9:06: Penalties stop East. Griffins to punt. Look for Providence to pound the ball with Hanrahan.
9:12: Hanrahan goes 10, 13 and 11 yards on draws, forcing East to call timeout.
9:14: Mike Hoffmeister throws on on 23-yard TD pass on a post pattern to tight end Steve Arthurs. Providence leads 14-12.
9:21: Again, Stanek making it happen, throwing sidearm to split the seam and being elusive as all get-out. Celtics defense, though, rises up for pair of sacks.
9:30: End of third quarter. Providence has ball at 42, hoping to grind out upset victory.
9:38: Paced by Shane Paty, Providence defense really starting to play well. Nine minutes left.
9:45: Timeout, Providence. Celtics looking at third down, with 5:27 to go.
9:50: After Starke's 15-yard gain on a wide receiver sweep out of the spread, Griffins go to double-wing and Starke sprints in for score. It's 18-14 with 2:40 remaining in favor of East.
9:55: Back-to-back blitzes by East force wild throws. Providence turns the ball over on downs, then calls timeout. Only 1:16 to go.
10:00: Thirty-seven seconds left. East punts to the 2. Providence has ball with no timeouts left.
10:07: Zach Johnson jumps for interception at the buzzer. Final, East 18, Providence 14. See ya next week everyone.
Friday Night Football Scoreboard
Carmel 24, JCA 12 (Final)
Minooka 30, Oak Lawn 8 (Final)
Lincoln-Way East 18, Providence 14 (Final)
Bishop McNamara 34, Morris 7 (Final)
Lockport 20, Plainfield North 14 (Final)
Plainfield Central 47, Elgin 25 (Final)
Bolingbrook 21, Downers Grove South 20 (Final)
Plainfield South 28, Rich South 22 (Final)
Richards 28, JT 21 (Final)
Lincoln-Way Central 23, Simeon 6 (Final)
Lemont 47, Hope 6 (Final)
Oswego East 27, Lincoln-Way North 17 (Final)
Peotone 21, Plano 19 (Final)
Coal City 10, Seneca 7 (Final OT)
Reed-Custer 21, Lisle 12 (Final)
Wilmington 40, Manteno 6 (Final)
