Lincolnway enters
post season with momentum
By Dave Surico
Three-time state runnerup Lincolnway has reasons for optimism as it enters the first round of the iYRA Tier 1 playoffs against Naperville at 6 p.m. Friday at Summit Hill Jr. High in Frankfort.
Besides a second-place finish to Brother Rice in the East Division, the Penguins won an opening-round match in the Midwest Championships in Elkhart, Ind., for the first time.
Lincolnway beat Birmingham, Mich., in the feeder event for the national tournament. The Penguins lost their next match 22-12 to eventual champions Cathedral of Indianapolis.
"We had a good showing. We played real well the second round," said coach Ryan Gabey. "It was 17-12 and we were knocking on the door. We had some bad penalties on us and that swung the match away from us."
The Penguins are aiming to extend their season to Championship Day May 31.
Among the players who must compete well for that to happen are: captain and two-year starter John Huguelet, a second-row player; senior rookie and loose forward Brendan Burke; and flyer Pat Egan.
The Penguins may have to compete without second-row player Mike Igoe, who suffered a nasty contusion at the tournament. If he is unable to go, JV stalwart Dave Mahl will help fill his shoes. Mahl had a good showing playing for Igoe in Indiana.
Lincolnway will need to continue its strong play to get past Naperville, which finished second on points to St. Charles in the West Division.
"Like any contact sport, every team lives and dies by their defensive play," said Gabey. "We've shown that we can be very creative in the attack. We can have a lot of success moving the ball across the pitch.
"But we've got to make sure our defense is secure. We've kind of had our hiccups this year. Brother Rice in week one (a 35-7 loss) was a breakdown defensively. It's something the coaching staff has been emphasizing the last few weeks and it really showed in the Midwest. We're hoping to carry that over to the playoffs."
