Lockport defense shuts down Joliet Central

THE SKINNY

Lockport scored early and often, including three times on defense, in jumping out to a 42-0 halftime lead en route to a 42-22 win. The loss was the 34th straight for the Steelmen, but their 22 points were the most they’ve scored in a game since the Joliet schools split into two programs in 2010.

TURNING POINT

On the game’s opening play from scrimmage, Steelmen quarterback Malek Harden connected with Tre’vion Neal on a 62-yard pass to the Lockport 18. But the Porter defense stiffened and Central turned the ball over on downs. Then, on a third-and-11, Lockport quarterback Jeremy Quade found Brendan Reed streaking down the right sideline for a 79-yard touchdown and 7-0 lead just over three minutes into the game. The Porters coasted from there.

THE STAR

Lockport’s first-string defense. After allowing the big play to start, the Porters only gave up 41 yards the rest of the half. The Steelmen (0-7, 0-5) turned the ball over three straight times on fumbles in their own end zone that were recovered by Mohammad Atiq, Justin Krzeczkowski, and Ryan Reed for touchdowns leading to a 34-0 advantage with 10:19 left in the first half.

BY THE NUMBERS

Quade, starting for Ryan Dalton — who is out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury —completed 2 of 3 passes for 89 yards and added an 18-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead with 2:27 to play in the first quarter. Cody Andrus added a 10-yard touchdown run for Lockport (2-5, 2-3). Neal scored on runs of 15 and 29 yards and quarterback Malek Harden (5-of-11, 93 yards) added a nine-yard touchdown run for the Steelmen, who also registered a safety. Sylvester Bellamy led all rushers with eight carries for 76-yards, 72 of those in the second half, for Central.

QUOTABLE

“I just tried to stay calm and continue what Ryan [Dalton] had done. It felt really good to get that first touchdown pass.”— Quade.