Bolingbrook's 73-yard burst breaks open 22-14 win over Lyons

Cook County residents watching the Class 8A second-round playoffs on Saturday night saw a tight contest that came down to the final quarter. The Bolingbrook Raiders defeated the Lyons Lions 22-14, a result that sends the Raiders to the quarterfinals while ending Lyons’ season.

The game was defined by Bolingbrook running back TJ Lewis. His performance shifted the momentum and secured the win. Lewis finished with a massive 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. That play set up the extra point attempt that closed the game.

Before the fourth quarter, Lyons held a 14-13 lead. The Lions had successfully limited Lewis’ impact for three quarters. They kept him under 100 rushing yards by stacking the box against him. EJ Kuhlman gave Lyons the lead with a 10-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

Bolingbrook coach Titcus Pettigrew said the team expected a difficult opponent. He noted that Lyons posed a different threat with solid players. Pettigrew told his players they would not always win by 30 points. He emphasized the need to persevere and battle through challenges, which the team executed on Saturday night.

The turning point started with a defensive stop. Gabriel Jenkins intercepted a pass to give the ball back to Bolingbrook. Lewis carried the ball twice for 13 yards. Then quarterback Tyson Ward ran for no gain on a keeper. Ward called for a similar play on the next snap. He found a lane up the middle and rushed 31 yards for a touchdown. Bolingbrook missed the two-point conversion, leaving them ahead 19-14.

Lyons drove into Bolingbrook territory but turned the ball over on downs. They stalled at the Bolingbrook 21-yard line. With the lead, Bolingbrook took control. After a short run by Ward, Lewis took the snap. He reversed direction twice and broke several tackles on his way to the end zone. He crossed the goal line at the Lyons 5-yard line.

Lewis described the moment as a test of his ability against a stacked defense. He said he prayed to God before the play to break the run. He noted that the defense made him look good on film. He believes if he can run against such a defense, he can succeed at the college level. Lewis is heading to Oklahoma State next year.

Bolingbrook kicked a 28-yard field goal with 3:07 remaining to make the score 22-14. Lyons’ final drive stopped just past midfield. Lyons coach Jon Beutjer praised his team for containing Lewis for most of the game. He said his goal was to use 11 defenders to stop the running back. Beutjer expressed pride in how his players competed.

The win extends Bolingbrook’s winning streak to ten games. They will face Oswego in the quarterfinals next weekend. The Raiders beat Oswego 21-7 in Week 4. Lyons finishes the season with an 8-4 record. The result marks the end of their playoff run.

The game featured a strong defensive effort by Lyons in the first three quarters. They limited Bolingbrook’s scoring opportunities. However, Bolingbrook’s depth and execution in the final quarter proved decisive. The Raiders’ offense broke through when it mattered most.