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Stevenson wins overtime thriller
Stevenson's Willie Bourbon (right) slips out of the grasp of Lake Forest defender Richard Daniels. | Joe Shuman~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 6, 2012 12:46AM
LINCOLNSHIRE — Stevenson knew it needed a miracle. The Patriots got two.
Consecutive pass interference calls in the end zone allowed the Patriots to kick a game-tying field goal with no time left against visiting Lake Forest Friday. Stevenson then scored on its first overtime possession while stopping the Scouts on downs in their only overtime possession, winning one of the season’s wildest games, 22-16.
“That was an unbelievable high school football game played by both teams,” Stevenson coach Bill McNamara said. “Every play counted. The fans got their money’s worth tonight.”
The second half saw momentum swings from both sides, and it appeared Lake Forest (5-2, 2-2) would get the last. Baylor Broughton kicked his third field goal of the night, a 24-yarder with 1:02 left to make it 16-13 Lake Forest.
Stevenson (6-1, 4-0) began the ensuing drive from its 16-yard line with 56 seconds left. Three completions from Willie Bourbon got the Patriots to the Scouts’ 33-yard line with nine seconds remaining. Bourbon then launched a pass into the end zone that appeared to be intercepted by Lake Forest, only to have the Scouts called for pass interference.
With no time left, the Patriots were awarded one more play. Bourbon threw a pass that was caught by Alan Velev in the back of the end zone. One referee ruled it incomplete, but the Scouts were again flagged for defensive pass interference. The Patriots got one more play from the 9-yard line. Cameron Green nailed a 26-yard field goal to send the game into overtime.
“We were just flying to the ball (in the end zone), going after every single ball like it was our last chance,” Green said.
In overtime, Stevenson got possession and Bourbon snuck in from 1 yard out for the Patriots’ winning touchdown. Green missed the extra point, but it didn’t matter as the defense stopped the Scouts on four downs.
The victory sets up a showdown next Friday between Stevenson and Libertyville. The winner will seize control of the North Suburban Lake. Lake Forest’s loss all but ends the Scouts’ bid to repeat as conference champs.
“I feel bad for our kids. They played their guts out and we obviously didn’t get the victory. I feel terrible for them,” Lake Forest coach Chuck Spagnoli said.
Pick up your local Pioneer Press newspaper on Thursday to read more about the Lake Forest and Stevenson football teams.
