Lincoln-Way Central motors past Barrington

Someone forgot to turn off a car Friday night at Barrington.

Lincoln-Way Central forgot to turn off the pressure.

Shortly before kickoff, the public-address announcer informed the packed crowd that a car had been left running illegally in the parking lot and asked its owner to move it.

The Knights had someplace to go, too.

Forward.

Lincoln-Way Central turned an interception on the game’s first play, a blocked punt for a touchdown, and a 21-point first half into a 28-14 nonconference victory over Barrington in the first meeting between the programs.

“He’s a beast,” Knights coach Dave Woodburn said of the 6-foot, 200-pound Vogt.

So was Lincoln-Way Central’s start.

Junior defensive back Landon Steinbach intercepted a pass on the game’s first play, then blocked a punt in the second quarter, scooped up the ball and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown.

Junior quarterback Gavin Ciesiun threw touchdown passes to Lucas Maeder and Des Gill as the Knights (1-1) built a 21-0 halftime lead.

“Our offense did the job, played downhill football,” Woodburn said. “We executed good play-action tonight, and our defense made plays — big plays.

“I’m proud of them.”

Barrington (0-2) finally supplied some big plays of its own after halftime.

Senior running back Vince Costa, who rushed five times for minus-5 yards in the first half, finished with 109 yards on 14 carries. Backup quarterback Tyler Logan scored twice on runs — three yards, one yard — in the third quarter after starter Crew Uebelhor was injured.

Suddenly, 21-0 was 21-14.

Game on.

“I was proud of the way we fought and made it a one-score game,” Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. “I was proud of Tyler for coming in and directing our offense. Proud of Vince Costa, too. And our offensive line played significantly better in the second half.”

The Broncos played without standout running back Lamar Osterhues, who was banged up in last week’s loss to Lyons Township.

“We wanted to be careful, so we held him out,” Sanchez said.

Lincoln-Way Central finally created some breathing room when junior Austin Buerck capped a 32-carry, 102-yard night with a two-yard touchdown run with 4:39 remaining.

Then came Vogt.

Again.

With the Knights leading 28-14, Vogt recorded his second sack and recovered the ensuing fumble with 2:47 left. Earlier, he had followed a tackle for a four-yard loss with a sack on the next play.

“You tip your cap to Lincoln-Way Central,” Sanchez said. “After a long road trip, they executed at a high level.”

The Knights arrived in Barrington 0-1.

They left 1-1.

Engine running.