Lake Zurich overcomes double digit deficit, long lightning delay to beat Stevenson for 1st win

Posted September 05, 2026 7:28 am

By Lou Nunez Jr.

Final score: Lake Zurich 17, Stevenson 14.

Records: Lake Zuirch improved to 1-2 overall, 1-0 in the North Suburban Conference. Stevenson fell to 0-3, 0-1.

Player of the game: Lake Zurich junior RB/OLB Adrian Stanek carried 22 times for 79 yards and made a game-saving interception of Patriots QB Eli Sigal with 2:55 left to preserve the Bears first win of the season.

Other statistical leaders: Lake Zurich RB Javion Blanco had 11 carries for 69 yards. QB Joey Wessman was 5 of 12 passing for 47 yards and a passing touchdown and carried 16 times for 34 yards and ran for a score. Stevenson’s Brandon Hersh had 2 carries for 70 yards and a TD while catching one pass for 40 yards and a touchdown. Sigal was 6 for 17 for 73 yards and a score.

Turning point: A 90-minute delay started on the Bears' opening second-half possession. Lake Zurich went from its 15-yard line to the Patriots’ 8 when play was halted with 6:25 left in the third quarter. When play resumed, Wesman took it in two plays later for what became the game-winning score.

First-half highlights: After spotting the visiting Patriots a 14-3 advantage on Hersh's second TD, a 66-yard jaunt, the hosts went on a 12-play, 80-yard drive that used 2:19 of the clock. Wessman found Luke Papesch in the back of the end zone with just a second left in the first half that brought them within 14-10.

Second-half highlights: Time of possession also became a deciding factor in the Bears favor as it controlled the clock 16:42 to the Patriots' 7:18.

X-Factor: The win marked Lake Zurich coach Dragan Teonic's 101st career win dating back to when he led the now defunct program at Harper College back in 2006.

It was also his first since 2023 when he led South Elgin to a Class 8A first round victory over Chicago Lane Tech.

Quotes: "We've been working hard all summer long," Stanek said. "We had a great team last year and we want to meet those expectations again. We feel great."

"The key to victory was we never got down, we didn't sulk, didn't whine, didn't moan or make excuses," Teonic said. "We got better. That's all I'm asking for. Day by day, and if we do that, I'll be proud as their head coach."