Lake Park runs past Conant
Lake Park was hoping to get off on the right foot after finishing with a disappointing 4-5 record last season.
Senior running back Artie Monaco has the Lancers headed in the right direction.
The 5-foot-9 senior rushed for 141 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in leading Lake Park to a 34-20 opening night victory over Conant at Charles O. Feutz Field in Hoffman Estates.
Lake Park converted 3 fumbles into scores, senior Jake McNamara added 94 yards rushing, and the Lancer defense contained the Cougars running game adding up to a satisfying opener.
"Semi trucks could have gone through those holes," said Monaco. "Kudos to the O-line."
Monaco had scoring runs of 21 yards and 3 yards in the first half and senior quarterback Larry Nawrot added a 6-yard scoring run with 55 seconds remaining in the first half staking Lake Park to a 20-6 halftime advantage.
Nawrot sprained his left ankle on the scoring drive; the senior started the second half but left after one series. Senior George Herrmann took over the reins.
The Lancers running backs responded by grinding out 264 total yards rushing.
"We had 100-percent confidence in George," added Monaco, "We told him not to worry, we're going to keep trucking."
Kyle Klosowicz paced Conant gaining 151 yards on 18 carries. The senior showed his breakaway speed on a 50 yard scoring run in the second quarter.
Klosowicz then narrowed the score to 20-12 with a 54 yard scoring burst to open the third quarter.
Monaco answered with a 39 yard score lifting the Lancers to a 27-12 advantage with 6:04 remaining in the third quarter.
But Klosowicz scored his third touchdown on a 14 yard run with 3:05 remaining in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 27-20. The Cougars were aided on their drive by 2 personal fouls against the Lancers.
Lake Park did not flinch. Aiden Daly recovered a fumble at Conant's 41 yard line with 4:47 remaining, 4 plays later Monaco added his fourth touchdown on a 3 burst giving the Lancers a 14-point advantage.
"You can't turn the ball over like we did and expect to win the game," said Conant coach Bill Modelski of the Cougars miscues. "I was almost shocked, despite the turnovers, we were still in it."
Former Driscoll player Clay Cooper had 7 receptions for 65 yards to aid the Lancers.