Introduction to the Game
Vernon Cole already was handling a variety of roles for Lane, but he asked to take on one more this week. The senior starts at running back and defensive back for the Champions. That’s unusual for schools in the state’s largest class, which mostly play two-platoon football. But Cole is too good not to be on the field most of the time, and on Friday night he found another way to contribute.
The Game-Changing Performance
Lining up as a Wildcat quarterback after halftime, Cole jump started the Champions offense. He scored his second and third touchdowns of the night after halftime to help Lane pull away for a 30-0 home win over Lincoln Park before a crowd of more than 2,000. Cole finished with 16 carries for 152 yards and also had an interception in the third quarter that set up his second TD.
Strategy Behind the Success
He said the Wildcat wrinkle was his idea after seeing how TF South defended Lane’s run game in the Champions’ 35-0 win last week. “I texted my coach, I was like, ‘The holes are big,’” Cole said. “‘If we can get that [look again], I can really make some moves.’ So we worked on that in practice and that’s what happened.” Cole had just five carries for 40 yards and a TD in the first half, which ended with Lane (3-0, 1-0 Public League Metro) up 7-0.
Coach’s Perspective
“I’ll be honest, our game plan was to probably throw it a little bit more in the first half,” Lane coach Deshon Conley said. “That’s why he didn’t get as many touches. But once we started [seeing] our run game was working, we decided to go ahead and let Vernon loose.” Conley isn’t surprised to see a breakout season from Cole, who’s also the defending Public League wrestling champ at 165 pounds. “There’s a reason he’s a captain,” Conley said. “He’s stepped up a lot, he’s matured. He’s become a really, really, really good football player. And we definitely lean on him.”
Lincoln Park’s Roidell Sanders (8) is tackled by Lane’s defense.
Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times
Defensive Performance
Ditto for a defensive line that returns three experienced players in Iowa State commit Daniel Howard, Greg Howard and Kanye Williams. Lincoln Park (2-1, 0-1) didn’t get into the red zone all night and the Lions were held to 12 rushing yards. Senior quarterback Roidell Sanders had some success early, completing five of his first six passes for 51 yards. But he left the game with an injury and Lincoln Park finished with 79 passing yards.
Conclusion
Getting the shutout was a goal, according to Williams, especially after Lincoln Park won last year’s meeting 3-0. “It just shows that we’re getting better,” he said. “Last year, [going] 3-6 really got us motivated.” Playing alongside a Power Four recruit in Howard opens up opportunities for Williams to make plays. "[Opponents] usually watch film and think, ‘Oh, [Howard] is the only one who can play,’” Williams said. “But the whole team can ball out.”
FAQs
Q: Who is Vernon Cole and what roles does he play for Lane?
A: Vernon Cole is a senior who starts at running back and defensive back for Lane, and he also lined up as a Wildcat quarterback after halftime.
Q: What was the final score of the game between Lane and Lincoln Park?
A: The final score was 30-0 in favor of Lane.
Q: What was the significance of the shutout for Lane’s defensive line?
A: The shutout was a goal for Lane’s defensive line, especially after Lincoln Park won last year’s meeting 3-0.
Q: How did Lane’s coach Deshon Conley describe Vernon Cole’s performance?
A: Conley described Cole as a really, really, really good football player who has stepped up a lot and matured, and said that the team definitely leans on him.
