THE SKINNY
Banged-up Lincoln-Way East recovered from last week’s 12-3 loss to Bolingbrook and will enter the postseason with a head of steam after dismantling the winless Steelmen Saturday afternoon in Joliet.
No. 15 East (7-2) was the Class 7A runner-up last year and its losses this year came against 8A powers Homewood-Flossmoor and Bolingbrook.
TURNING POINT
Griffins defensive back Zach Hoffman’s pick six in the first quarter helped put the Griffins ahead, 14-0.
THE STAR
Junior Mike Weller made his first start at quarterback for East and threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns. First-string quarterback Jordan Wirtz played running back and gained 79 yards. Regular backs Alex Craft and Brian Casey were hurt and did not play.
BY THE NUMBERS
Joliet Central (0-9) gave up 40 or more points in all of its nine contests this season. The Steelmen avoided a seventh shutout when Sylvester Bellamy scored on a 19-yard run late in the game.
QUOTABLE
“We moved some guys around and they responded well. It was nice having Mike and Jordan on the field at the same time.” — East coach Rob Zvonar.
