Lisle lifts Old Plank Road Trophy again

The biggest bruiser on the lot, Lisle lineman Tony Kisla and his teammates hoisted the spoils of victory.

The Lions survived in Westmont, winning the Interstate Eight Conference Small Division football game 27-22, thereby returning the Old Plank Road Trophy to Lisle.

"That means a lot to me," said the 6-foot-7, 300-pound Kisla, "because I was on the first team that won it, and I was also on the team that lost it to them. So it's a great honor for our team to get it back to Lisle."

In the third annual game for the plaque and the 29th overall between the rivals, Lisle (4-4, 3-2) remained in playoff contention despite Kevin Zapinski's 194 yards rushing and Erik Andrews' 171 yards receiving.

Zapinski became the fourth career rushing yardage leader for Westmont (2-6, 1-4), in a game attended by the career leader, his brother, Andy.

"That was a surprise, I didn't even know he was coming," Kevin Zapinski said. "It definitely was motivating. I wanted to put on a show for him but couldn't quite finish it."

To the benefit of Lisle, which squandered a 14-0 lead.

Anthony Ventrella's stiff-arm produced a 28-yard touchdown run that with Michael Reeves' kick gave the Lions a 7-0 lead at 4:11 of the first quarter. Then, having completed a fourth-and-9 pass to Cameron Wright, quarterback Jon Surber sneaked through Chris Jensen and Kyle Vandenburgh for a 14-0 second-quarter lead.

"The line blocked good, we ran well," said Ventrella, who gained 118 yards on 21 carries. "I think we just worked as a team, but on defense we let a little too many big plays up."

Such as Zapinski's 80-yard touchdown halfback pass to Andrews that trimmed the lead to 14-7 at halftime.

Or Zapinski, on the first play of the third quarter, dusting Lisle's defense with a spin move and 72-yard touchdown run. Terry Nge's kick tied the score 14-14.

"It's ridiculous," said disappointed Lisle coach Dan Sanko. "You go in and say, 'Don't give them the big play,' and we give them the big play."

Lisle regrouped with scores on consecutive possessions. Wright's 23-yard reception set up Ventrella's second touchdown on a 27-yard run. Lisle led 27-14 at 5:39 of the third quarter on Jake Kretman's 1-yard run.

Westmont quarterback Ian Martens hit Andrews for a 65-yard touchdown pass in the last minute, but Lisle's Dave Pawlowicz fell on the onside kick to end it.

Westmont coach Mark Orszula played and coached at Lisle under Sanko. Friday that mattered little.

"The hype and buildup and everything was what it was, but when we start to play football I don't care who's across from us," Orszula said.