Warren hangs on against Lake Forest
For the last eight months, since Bryan McNulty was named head coach, Warren's football team has talked about finishing games.
Not that executing the game plan is ever easy, mind you.
Take Thursday night, when the host Blue Devils found themselves leading once-beaten Lake Forest 20-0 after three quarters.
One 80-yard drive here, one botched snap on a punt there, and suddenly the Scouts were within a touchdown and extra point of taking the lead.
But looking like a playoff-bound team, Warren came up with its fourth turnover of the night and one last defensive stand, and escaped with a 27-14 victory.
Warren improved to 4-2 and 3-1 in the North Suburban Lake Division with its third win in a row, while Lake Forest fell to 4-2 and 1-2.
"Our goal is to come out and go four quarters all the way doing our thing, but sometimes it doesn't go our way," said outside linebacker Michael Brierton, whose Pick Six had the Blue Devils up 20-0 in the second quarter. "We kept our composure and pulled it out in the fourth. That's what we're all about. That's what we've talked about since February. That's Blue Devil football right there."
Warren looked in position to post its first shutout, but Lake Forest would have no part of it. Starting at their own 20 early in the fourth, the Scouts manufactured an eight-play drive that culminated with Wes Janeck (17 carries, 89 yards) busting off a 33-yard run into the end zone. The drive included the Scouts converting a third-and-25 from their own 5.
After the visitors reached midfield, an irate McNulty called timeout and got stern with his defense.
"I just didn't think we were tackling well," McNulty said. "Usually, we tackle really well as a defense. The kids got a little tired there at the end, but we still got to be able to tackle."
After getting on the board, Lake Forest forced a three-and-out. An errant snap on a punt attempt gave the Scouts the ball at the Warren 1, and Janeck scored again, with 7:08 left to make it a 20-14 game.
Warren then fumbled the ball away at its own 20, and Lake Forest recovered at the 24. But after a short completion, Warren's Jose Carrasco forced a fumble and Cole Iwema recovered.
"I really don't know that we did a whole lot different in the second half, other than play a little harder," Lake Forest coach Chuck Spagnoli said. "It wasn't necessarily scheme things. Momentum kind of got in our direction. When that happens, it's a difficult thing to stop."
Despite down starters Javon Burruss and Emmanuel Henry on the offensive line, Warren built its three-TD lead thanks to its running game and hard-hitting defense. Darrius Crump carried 29 times for 141 yards and a score, while VaShaun Wright rushed 16 times for 106 yards and 2 TDs. They ran behind Eric Nielsen, Joey Zumpano, Jason Redford, Sergio Sosa, Cole Anderson, and tight ends Sam Evans and Erik Kupraitis.
Wright started the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and after Warren recovered a fumble at the Lake Forest 44 early in the second, Crump scored from 27 yards out four plays later.
Then on the Scouts' next possession, Brierton read a screen pass, intercepted it and raced 19 yards into the end zone untouched.
"When you see the ball, your heart just starts pumping and you go," Brierton said. "Two years ago against Lake Forest (in a sophomore game) I had a pick (and TD) just like that right here on the opposite hash. It brought back some memories. There's nothing like that feeling."
Warren's defense delivered again late, as Lake Forest had one last chance. Eric Yunker (2 sacks) batted down a pass, and Brierton broke up a throw on fourth down.
Two plays later, Wright iced the win by scoring from 34 yards out.
"Lake Forest is a really good football team," said McNulty, whose team also got an interception from Jacob Kerkorian. "They're so well-coached. Those kids never really beat themselves, and they play hard. So anytime you can beat them, it's huge."