Defense steps forward for Lake Zurich

Fair is fair.

We've heard all about the Lake Zurich offense this season, and its engine, running back Jacob Brinlee, a 1,500-yard rusher.

Last week, it was time to praise the Bears' special teams, which showed all kinds of fancy footwork in a second round playoff victory over Crystal Lake South. Bears place kicker Max Methling kicked 3 field goals while Kevin Looff, who handles kickoffs and punts, repeatedly gave Crystal Lake South putrid field position with his lethal leg.

Now, it's the defense's turn.

Heap on the kudos. These guys deserve it.

"Our guys made the plays when we needed them," Lake Zurich coach Bryan Stortz said. "We pride ourself on that kind of defense."

The Bears literally beared down on the Wheaton North offense for three quarters Saturday night. They let up a little bit late but then came through again in a big way when it mattered most.

Add it all up the Lake Zurich defense helped pave the way for a 24-17 Class 7A quarterfinal victory in Wheaton. It propels the Bears into the state semifinals for the third time in the last four years.

Lake Zurich will host Glenbard West next week for the right to play in the Class 7A state title game in Champaign at the University of Illinois Thanksgiving weekend.

"We (the defense) are just a family out there," Lake Zurich senior defensive back Andy Blechschmidt said. "Ever since we went to summer camp at Concordia University, we've just stuck together. We were together tonight and we just made plays."

Blechschmidt, one of the captains of the defense, made a doozie.

Despite being dominated by Lake Zurich all night, Wheaton North managed to erase most of a 21-point deficit with 2 quick fourth-quarter touchdowns. Down 24-17 with 1:19 to play, the Falcons were looking for just a bit more magic.

Facing a fourth-and-2 at the Bears' 28-yard line, Wheaton North quarterback Reece Butler found one of his favorite targets, Hunter Thorson, open along the near sideline. A catch would have given the Falcons a first down at about the 10-yard line.

As Thorson extended his arms for the ball, Blechschmidt came from behind and launched himself at Thorson like he was fired out of a cannon. Thorson couldn't hang onto the ball and all the Bears had to do to close out the game was take a few knees.

"We were playing this rock coverage where we leave the No. 3 receiver, which was (Thorson), open for 10 yards," said Blechschmidt, who had also picked off a Butler pass earlier in the game. "I was covering him deep, I saw him go up for the ball and just took his legs out. That was the most nerve-racking game of my life."

Besides giving up the 2 fourth quarter touchdowns, which came within 30 seconds of each other about halfway through the quarter, Lake Zurich also dodged another Wheaton North bullet, on the series just before Blechschmidt made his big play.

With about two minutes left, the Falcons had advanced all the way to the Lake Zurich 15-yard line and could have tied the game at 24-24 with a touchdown.

But on second down, Lake Zurich linebacker Kevin Gratys intercepted a Butler pass in the endzone

"It was the best play of my football career by far, on the biggest scale I've every been on," said Gratys, who made just his second interception of the season. "I was nervous after they got their first few touchdowns but I'm glad we responded. I think it shows what our defense is all about."

The rest of the Bears didn't have to be shown. Despite sometimes being overshadowed by the offense and special teams, the defense, which came up big when the pressure was on and also dominated early by holding Wheaton North to just 3 first-half points, definitely commands the respect of the rest of the team.

Talk to anyone in a Lake Zurich uniform and they were heaping the praise on defenders like Jack Lynn, Mark Tabaka, Kia McGee and Aaron Lewandowski, who were tormenting Butler with a relentless pass rush, and Zach Till and Danny Minogue, who each also came up with an interception to run Lake Zurich's total to four on the night.

"The defense played big, they carried us today," said Brinlee, who scored 2 touchdowns for the Bears. "Our defense definitely isn't overlooked by us. They're real athletic and they make plays. Actually, I think they've been carrying us more than we've been carrying them.

pbabcock@dailyherald.com