Lincoln-Way West’s Balanced Offense Leads to Victory
Introduction to the Game
With a balanced offense led by a powerful back and a dual-threat quarterback combined with an opportunistic defense, No. 22 Lincoln-Way West is built for November football. That’s why the Warriors are in the state quarterfinals for the sixth time since 2012 after surging to a 43-20 Class 7A win over visiting Kenwood on a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Key Players’ Performances
Jahan Abubakar, a sturdy 6-1, 191-pound senior, ran 23 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns for Lincoln-Way West (10-1), which plays at Downers Grove North (9-2) next weekend. Grant Tustin, the Warriors’ 6-4, 200-pound quarterback, passed for 139 yards and a TD and also ran for 53 yards and a score.
Defensive Strategy
Meanwhile, West was in bend-don’t-break mode against Kenwood quarterback Kenyonte Louis, who came in with 3,302 total yards and 44 touchdowns. Louis finished with 390 total yards and three scores, but two came after the Warriors had run off 40 straight points to wipe out a 6-3 deficit.
Player Insights
Abubakar, who missed time earlier in the season with an ankle injury, got a heads-up from his coaches to expect a heavy workload Saturday. “They said they were gonna anchor off me and the game was in my hands,” Abubakar said. “And I took accountability made sure that we got the ‘dub.’” “Jahan started off hot, then we held him out for a couple weeks,” Warriors coach Luke Lokanc said. “In the last couple of weeks, he’s been 100%. He got healthy at the right time.”
Game Highlights
And he gave Lincoln-Way West another potent option to go along with Tustin, whose 10-yard TD pass to Ethan Swanson gave the Warriors a 10-6 lead at 11:20 of the second quarter. That was still the score until West got two touchdowns in the last 11 seconds of the first half to go up 24-6. First Abubakar powered over from a yard out, then Jimmy Talley Jr. picked off Louis and ran it back 25 yards for a TD as time expired.
Defensive Play
Talley knew the Warriors had to account for Louis’ dual-threat capability. “We were trying to [have a] balance — not letting them get yards on the pass, but also spying on the quarterback to make sure he doesn’t scramble and get a bunch of yards,” Talley said. “It’s a hard balance. He’s a good player. We just ended up doing our job well.”
Coaching Perspective
There weren’t any fancy wrinkles, according to Lokanc. “This one doesn’t come down to scheme,” he said. “It comes back to the 37 seniors we have and the leadership they’ve shown throughout this whole season.”
Conclusion of the Game
The Warriors kept adding to the lead in the third quarter with a safety on a bad punt snap, Zach Hermanson’s second field goal and Tustin’s 23-yard TD run. Abubakar’s second TD run, a five-yarder at 8:30 of the fourth quarter, made it 43-6.
Next Steps for Lincoln-Way West
Now the Warriors get a rematch with Downers Grove North, who beat them 34-6 in the 2023 quarterfinals. West lost in the second round last season to Batavia and has advanced past the quarterfinals just once, winning the 5A title in 2015. “Definitely a chip on our shoulder,” Abubakar said. “We remembered last year and just had to capitalize on everything.”
Post-Game Reflections
Kenwood (9-2) had a nine-game winning streak snapped and will drop back into the Public League playoffs next week. The Broncos were hurt by penalties (15 for 94 yards) and two turnovers. Louis ran 35 yards for a TD and threw an 84-yard scoring strike to Lawrence Carr to end West’s 40-0 scoring run. “It’s tough,” Kenwood coach Chris Goffer said. “In the playoffs, you can’t make mistakes, can’t turn over the ball. “I’m trying to put this as good as possible. I don’t want any handouts, but I’d also like to see an evenly called game, simple as that.”
Conclusion
Lincoln-Way West’s victory over Kenwood showcases their strength and resilience, particularly with the performances of Jahan Abubakar and Grant Tustin. Their balanced offense and opportunistic defense make them a formidable opponent in the state quarterfinals.
FAQs
Q: Who were the key players in Lincoln-Way West’s victory over Kenwood?
A: Jahan Abubakar and Grant Tustin were the key players, with Abubakar running for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and Tustin passing for 139 yards and a TD and running for 53 yards and a score.
Q: What was the final score of the game?
A: The final score was 43-20 in favor of Lincoln-Way West.
Q: What’s next for Lincoln-Way West?
A: Lincoln-Way West will play at Downers Grove North (9-2) next weekend in the state quarterfinals.
Q: What was Kenwood’s record going into the game?
A: Kenwood had a 9-1 record going into the game and was on a nine-game winning streak.
