By Randy Whalen

The last time the Lockport Township football team started 1-1 there were no playoffs.

That was in the shortened spring season in 2021. 

But starting that fall, when Lockport went on to win the Class 8A State Championship, the playoffs returned. So now the Porters know that coming off a loss and with this season's tough schedule, this week's matchup at Neuqua Valley is almost a must-win if they want to make the playoffs again this season.

"We have to regroup," Lockport coach George Czart said. "We're working hard at practice, studying our opponent and making corrections. Most of it is things that have popped up again. and it's about cleaning up our mistakes."

Things looked good for the Porters last Friday when senior fullback Tyler Pospisil scored his first varsity touchdown on a 4-yard run to take a 21-14 lead with 3:26 to play in the game. 

But Wheaton North went right downfield as senior quarterback Nick Johnson found junior wide receiver David Hyde who dashed and darted for a 59-yard gain down to the three. Two plays later, senior all-purpose player, Dylan Jung scored from a yard out with 2:22 to play. Then Johnston found junior tight end Shane Diericx alone in the back of the end zone to complete the conversion. That held up for the winning score in a 22-21 victory.

"That's a good quarterback," Czart said of Johnson. "He did a good job and knew which guy was open. We've played hard and hit hard but it's about lining up and continuously making plays."

Johnson finished 22-of-35 for 284 yards and had a touchdown pass. In the opener, Plainfield North senior quarterback Justus Byrd completed 24 passes in 42 attempts for 265 yards and three touchdowns. 

So Lockport has given up 549 passing yards in two games. Offensively, the Porters scored on their first two drives against Wheaton North but then stalled until the fourth quarter. 

"I'm confident we can have a quick turnaround and improve everything offensively," Lockport senior quarterback Conley Pfeiffer said. "I'm excited to move on to (this) week and work hard for a win."

The matchup with the host Wildcats is also the first of four games in the new Southwest Valley Conference Blue Division. It's huge for both teams as Neuqua Valley is currently 0-2 after losing 16-14 at Minooka last Friday when Sean Sample booted a 27-yard field goal with four seconds to play.  

Quarterback Kiet Truong connected with fellow senior Sean Anashel for a touchdown and later Truong scored himself to give the Wildcats the lead with under a minute to play. But their defense gave up a big pass play on fourth-and-20 as Minooka drove down in position for the win. 

So after having its heartbreaking finish, Neuqua Valley will be looking for a big win too. The last time the Wildcats were 0-3 was in 2009. That was also the last time that they had a losing record. Bill Ellinghaus has guided them to 12 straight winning seasons, including going 7-4 last year after a 1-2 start. 

If the Porters are going to avoid a 1-2 start, they will have to have guys step up all over. Last week Pospisil had over 100 total yards (60 rushing, 42 receiving) and Johnny Wesolowski added 23 carries for 123 yards and scored two more touchdowns. The senior running back now has over 300 yards rushing and six TDs in his first two games this season.

"We had some good plays on defense and special teams too," Czart said. "Colton Benaitis blocked a punt, Payton Roberson played well again at linebacker, and Dewatha Malone made a tackle on the three-yard line (on Hyde) by not giving up on the play. It was an awesome play."

This will be the first road game for Lockport this season. It will also be on a bit of a different surface.

"We have to have the road warrior mentality," Czart said. "Also their field there is grass. But we've played on grass in one way or another pretty much all our lives. We just have to know it's a four-quarter game."

The sophomore game is slated for 4:30 PM and the varsity kicks off at approximately 7 PM this Friday in Naperville. 

"Neuqua seems to be passing more," Crart said. "They're 0-2 but they're a good team. If we're not ready we are going to be 1-2. So we have to be ready."

By Randy Whalen

The deuces were wild and they weren't kind to the Lockport Township football team.

Wheaton North scored a touchdown and added a two-point conversion with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter on Friday, September 6 to stun the Porters 22-21 in Lockport.

Lockport (1-1) fell short of improving to 2-0 for a fourth straight season. The Falcons (2-0) won their second straight one-point game in the final moments. In their season opener, they tossed a touchdown from six yards out as time expired for a 23-22 over visiting Providence.

Was Lockport coach George Czart surprised that Wheaton North elected to go for two rather than the tie?

"I wasn't surprised at all," Czart said. "They wanted to win."

The Porters wanted to win, too. But they couldn't pull away from an early lead and instead found themselves again in a tight game. It was the second straight and 11th time in the last 18 regular-season games that Lockport, which defeated Plainfield North 28-21 in the opener, had a game decided by seven points or less. Its record in those games is 6-5, including 2-2 in games decided by one point.

"We need to stay more focused," said Lockport senior running back Johnny Wesolowski, who went over 100 yards again and scored a pair of touchdowns. "We need to eliminate the mistakes that we made."

Things looked good for the Porters when senior fullback Tyler Pospisil (7 carries for 60 yards) scored his first varsity touchdown on a 4-yard run to take a 21-14 lead with 3:26 to play in the game. 

That capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive that saw quarterback Conley Pfeiffer complete 3-of-5 passes for 37 yards It would have been 4-of-5 but his pass which fellow senior Adam Gieser made a nice grab to haul in at the two was ruled out of bounds. Undaunted, Pfeiffer fired a 6-yard pass to Pospisil to the Falcon 17 on fourth-and-six to keep the drive alive. 

Wesolowski (23 carries for 123 yards) had runs of nine and four yards to take it to the four and Pospisil scored from there. Junior Matt Blazewski added the extra point and Lockport led 21-14 with 3:26 to play in the game.

"Tyler Pops is a great kid and I love playing with him," Wesolowski said. "We work hard together in practice and he played his butt off Friday."

It also ended a streak of four straight non-scoring drives by the Porters.

"That late TD that we had was a good feeling because it was a well-put-together drive by everyone on offense," Pfeiffer said.  "But I would just say that we need to stay consistent on all forms in the offensive game. It all starts with practice, and we all knew looking back that we didn't have a very good week of practice."

Starting at their own 20 following a touchback, the Falcons moved to the 35 right away following a pass interference penalty. Then on second-and-seven, senior quarterback Nick Johnson found junior wide receiver David Hyde (3 receptions for 81 yards), who dashed and darted for a 59-yard gain down to the three. 

Senior all-purpose player, Dylan Jung scored from a yard out two plays later. So with 2:22 to play, Wheaton North was within one. 

"It's awesome, it's just incredible to be a part of this team," said Jung, who added an interception on defense. "It's my job to get the ball in that short yardage situation and that was my mentality, to score."

It was also the Falcons' mentality to go for two so they did. Johnston found junior tight end Shane Diericx alone in the back of the end zone to complete the conversion. That held up for the winning score.

"We knew we were going to win," Johnston said. "There was never a doubt, we were going to go to win the game."

The same pair connected in the opening week when Johnson found Diericx with a fourth-down pass as time expired for the victory.

"You get used to the rush and I was just mentally prepared," Johnson said of the 2-point pass. "I just hung in and the receivers made the adjustments. They're the ones that get the credit. They make it easier for me.

"We're just a team that keeps fighting. Our team mentality is to win games."

Johnston finished 22-of-35 for 284 yards and had a touchdown pass.

Following the touchdown, the Porters gained eight yards to their own 29 on first down. But went backward from there with a sack and two incompletions. They turned the ball over on downs with 1:34 to play and Wheaton North ran out the clock.

"We decided midway through the fourth quarter that we were going to go for two if we were in that situation," Wheaton North coach Joe Wardynski said. "It was another exciting game. We started bringing more pressure on defense in the second half. 

"Coming into the season this group had a lot of questions. But the guys have been winning games and they are excited."

Things looked good for the Porters to start as they scored on their first two possessions. Wesolowski scored on runs of two and five yards and Lockport led 14-0 three seconds into the second quarter. 

But the Porters struggled on offense after that and Wheaton North cut the lead in half when Johnson found senior Nik Schaafsma for a 30-yard touchdown pass on a third-and-13 play with 4:35 left in the second quarter. the halftime score was 14-7.

Junior Colton Benaitis blocked a punt to give them the ball, at the Wheaton North 30 late in the first half, the Porters turned the ball over on downs at the 25.

The Falcons held the ball for a 7-minute: 43-second span in the second half. That was capped when Schaafsma scored on a 1-yard run with 11:25 to play in the game and senior Luke Bellini booted the extra point to tie it at 14-14. That capped a 66-yard, 17-play drive that started when Lockport again turned the ball over on downs.

Junior defensive end Dewatha Malone and senior defensive end Kevin Hippner had sacks for the Porters. 

Lockport won last season's game, 37-22 in Wheaton. The matchup is between two teams that won state championships with dominating defenses in 2021. The Falcons defeated St. Rita 35-6 in the Class 7A title game, and Lockport toppled Maine South 24-6 right afterward in the 8A game.

"We just need to regroup as a team and work even harder during practice," Wesolowski said. "We need to get one percent better each day."

Pfeiffer finished 9-of-16 with an intercention, for 91 yards. 

"Moving on to the next week I would say we have to improve as an entire unit, but I'll take a majority of the blame for the lack of offense at times," Pfeiffer said. "I think we could all agree that our passing attack has to get better, but I'm very confident in my receivers making plays. 

"I just got to get the ball to them in the key moments. Our offensive line has looked great, and our defense played well enough to win that game, but we didn't come through for them when they needed us."

For the second straight game, the Porters gave up over 250 passing yards.

"We stopped the run again but we've got to reevaluate what we're doing against the pass," Czart said. "We watched film and thought we had the help we needed. Tyler (Pospisil) did well making plays for us though. He got that big first down and touchdown."

With a very difficult schedule, every game is huge. The next one is on the road at 7 PM this Friday, September 13 at Neuqua Valley in the Southwest Valley Blue opener. 

"We've got to get better," Czart said. "We've got no one to blame but ourselves. We've got to execute. we can't let them have the ball most of the third quarter. 

"We had every opportunity to win this game. We didn't get it done. We have to work to be 2-1 now. That's the goal."

By Randy Whalen

The Lockport Township football team plays a lot of close exciting games. 

Including last week's 28-21 season-opening victory over Plainfield North, 10 of the Porters' past 17 regular season games have been decided by a touchdown and conversion or less. 

But this week's opponent can claim to have won a game in the most exciting way imaginable.

That's Wheaton North which rallied for a wild 23-22 win over visiting Providence Catholic last Friday. That happened when Shane Diericx caught a fourth-down pass from 6 yards out as time expired. The junior tight end caught the pass from senior quarterback Nick Johnson and managed to bounce off a hard hit near the goal line to reach the end zone for the winning touchdown.

"Wheaton North is dangerous," Lockport coach George Czart said. "They beat Providence and that shows it. We jumped out on them last year and they got back in the game. Against Providence, their quarterback (Johnson, who had 3 TD passes) took them down there and they scored on a fourth down play. They have a nice passing game.

"We jumped out on them last year and they got back in the game."

A year ago the Porters won the Week No. 2 matchup in Wheaton by a score of 37-22. Austin Cichon, a senior at that time, returned the opening kickoff 73 yards for a Lockport TD. The Falcons (7-4 last year) trailed the whole game and trimmed the deficit to 24-22 but didn't score again.  

It was Wheaton North's first regular-season home loss since falling 22-21 to Lake Park on Sept. 20, 2019. It was also the Falcons' largest loss since a 28-3 setback at Batavia on the final day of the 2019 season. 

Plus, the matchup is one between two teams that won state championships with dominating defenses in 2021. The Falcons defeated St. Rita 35-6 in the Class 7A title game, and Lockport toppled Maine South 24-6 right afterward in the 8A game.

Last year's victory was also a breakout game for now-senior Johnny Wesolowski, who finished with 12 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns. In last week's season opener, Wesolowski had 23 carries for 188 yards and four touchdowns. 

Wesolowski is impressing Lockport veteran assistant coach, Mark Carmen. 

"Johnny has got better by practicing hard," Carmen said. "It's just hard work. He works his butt off."

Czart knows the whole team has to work their butts off to improve to 2-0 for the fourth straight season.

"It was huge to get a W to start the season," he said. "We looked good in a lot of areas but what worries me is that we have to correct our mistakes. I thought our run defense was superb. But again, we did it at the expense of giving up the pass. We dropped seven guys into coverage and (Plainfield North) still got passing yards. That's what concerns me.

"We've got a solid pass defense. We just have to execute at the correct times."

Plainfield North quarterback Justus Byrd was 24-of-42 for 265 yards and a trio of touchdowns in the opener. But he was intercepted by junior free safety Colton Benaitis and sacked by senior defensive linemen Kevin Hipner and Dereon Simpson, as well as senior linebacker John Sherrod lll.

"We're expecting another gritty battle," Sherrod said of facing Wheaton North. "Just like against Plainfield North. There's no easy game on our schedule but we know that the quarterback can't throw with a guy in his face."

Czart credited an unsung hero in the opening victory. That was senior Tyler Pospisil, who had 18 yards on three carries and two receptions. He also corralled an onside kick from the Tigers late in the game.

"With guys running right at you, that's a tough play," Czart said of getting the onside kick. "Also we know we have a good kicker in (junior) Matt Blazewski (who was 4-for-4 on extra point attempts but had a 27-yard field goal tipped and it missed wide left)."

This Friday's home game is also Senior Night, with the Seniors starting to be honored at 5:30. So the kickoff is slated for 6:15 PM. It's also the "Porters GO GOLD" Night on Friday for Pediatric Cancer Awareness. So wear GOLD to REMEMBER and SUPPORT.

"It was a nice crowd and great energy," Czart said of the season opener. "We know if we deliver on the field that we'll get the support, no doubt."

By Randy Whalen

How amped-up was the Lockport Township football team before its season-opening game?

"I threw up," senior running back Johnny Wesolowski said. 

He wasn't the only one as a couple of other teammates did too.

But then they all showed up. Especially Wesolowski as he scored four touchdowns and the Porters needed every single one of them as they outlasted Plainfield North 28-21 on Friday evening, August 30, in Lockport.

It was the fourth straight season that Lockport (1-0) has won its opener. The previous three times the Porters made the playoffs. 

"It was pure nerves," Wesolowski said of his sickness before the game. "It's just the last, first game and there's a lot on the line. I've been playing with these guys for the last 10 years.

Wesolowski finished with 23 carries for 188 yards and scored on runs of four, 14, 52, and 17 yards. His final two touchdowns came in the fourth quarter and gave the Porters a two-touchdown cushion.

"Not since youth ball with the Homer Stallions," Wesolowski said when asked if he'd ever scored four TDs in a game. "It was all the offensive line. They made the blocks, we just all worked our butts off and the coaches came up with a great game plan."

The line consists of seniors Kaden Makhlouf, Michael Pew, and Keiland Vasvery, as well as junior Owen Wilczak, and sophomore Ethan Posey.

"It was good to see," Lockport senior quarterback Conley Pfeiffer said. "Our offensive line and Johnny won the game. It was a big win. we talked about it before the game and looked at it as a must-win."

Pfeiffer made his first-ever start at quarterback. He was hot early but only attempted three passes in the second half, completing one. He finished 13-of-19 for 93 yards. 

"We slowed down a little bit on offense in the second quarter," Pfeiffer said. "We've got to pick it up some and finish it. But it's a nice win going into week two."

The Porters led 14-7 at halftime. But Plainfield North senior quarterback Justus Byrd settled in late in the first half and finished with three touchdown passes. Byrd, who transferred to Plainfield North from LaSalle-Peru, completed 24 passes in 42 attempts. He had a 59-yard pass to senior Omar Coleman (6 receptions for 99 yards) with 3:54 left in the second quarter to get the Tigers on the board. 

His 13-yard pass to senior Amiel Clark, with 7:40 left in the third quarter tied the game at 14-14. Then his final TD toss, a 6-yard TD pass to sophomore Darin Ashiru, with 2:23 to play in the game, drew Plainfield North within 28-21. 

The Tigers (0-1) got the ball back with 1:55 left to play and drove to the Lockport 43. But on fourth-and-10,  Byrd was sacked for a 14-yard loss by senior linebacker John Sherrod with 15.9 seconds to play. A Pfeiffer kneel-down ended the game. 

"When the game is on the line at the end, big-time players make big-time plays, and I consider myself a big-time player," Sherrod said. "To win the opener brings us energy. It was great."

Wesolowski's two first-half TDs came with 3:44 left in the first quarter and then 10:24 left in the second quarter to go ahead 14-0. With the score tied 14-14 in the third quarter, Wesolowski had consecutive runs of 11, 12, and 13 yards to set up Lockport with a first down at the Tiger 13. But the drive stalled and junior Matt Blazewski had his 27-yard field goal attempt tipped and go wide left with 1:17 left in the third quarter.

After that, there was a trio of three-and-outs. Two of them were forced by the Porter defense with senior defensive lineman Dereon Simpson having a big third down sack to force a punt in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

Plainfield North punted and Lockport got the ball back on its own 48 with 9:10 to play in the game. Wesolowski then ripped off his 52-yard scoring gallop to the right side with 8:59 to play putting the Porters ahead to stay.

"That was Adam Gieser and Adam Kozak with downfield blocks," Wesolowski said of his wide receivers making key blocks. "That's how that run became a 52-yard touchdown.  

"Plainfield North is a great team and program that was 9-0 two years ago. So this is a big win."

Tiger coach Anthony Imbordino was impressed too.

"Our guys played hard but Lockport was the better team," Imbordino said. "It was a good game and it's good to play a disciplined team like Lockport. Their running back runs hard and he wanted it more than our defense.

"Omar Coleman is very fast. We just need the ball to bounce differently for us. We play Lockport for two more years, so hopefully we can get one of these"

It was the fourth-ever meeting between the two schools. Both teams scored fourth quarter touchdowns in the season opener last fall but Lockport scored the final one and won 14-8. 

They also played each other in the second week of the season in both 2011 and 2012. Each time the home team won and ended up making the playoffs. The Porters blocked a punt in the fourth quarter in 2011, leading to the winning touchdown in a 28-21 victory. In 2012, Plainfield North won 35-2.

Junior free safety Colton Benaitis snared an interception with 7:30 to play to set up Wesolowski's final touchdown, a 17-yard run with 5:52 remaining.

"He's a football player and we can have him at five different positions," Lockport coach George Czart said of Benaitis. "But at free safety, he can roam in the middle and he was able to get that interception. Their quarterback (Byrd) was good and made plays."

So did Wesolowski.

"Coming into the season, I knew Johnny was a special running back," Czart said. "So I'm happy he got to live up to the hype I had for him. Our line did a great job making the holes and he did a good job running through them."

By Randy Whalen

It took an extra week compared to last year but it's here.   

Because this year had a leap day and Thanksgiving is on its latest possible day, the Illinois High School Association football schedule starts a little later this season.

But the wait has only added to the excitement as the Lockport Township football season opener is this Friday, Aug. 30, at home against Plainfield North. 

Last year's opener was on August 25. In a rematch, the Porters hope for the same result as last season. That was a 14-8 victory in a defensive tussle in Plainfield.

"Absolutely," Lockport coach George Czart said of expecting the same sort of competitive game this season. "We'd be foolish not to expect anything different. The game last year was so close. Hopefully, we'll be in that position again at the end. 

"Plainfield North has a short history but a great reputation of playing very, very well and are very well coached. We have to go by what they have done in the past and prepare based on that. We can make adjustments during the game."

Last season's game was very defensive. Lockport led 6-0 going into the fourth quarter. But both teams scored touchdowns and had two-point conversions in a span of 1 minute and 12 seconds in the final quarter. Then senior Drew Gallagher scored from seven yards out and Johnny Wesolowski added a two-point conversion with 6:41 to play to put the Porters ahead to stay.

Wesolowski will be looked to as a main running back this season. While Conley Pfeiffer, who is a senior, takes over as quarterback.

"I can't wait. It will be my first time starting a varsity game and It'll be a good time." Pfeiffer said.  "As for Plainfield North, I don't want to give away too much about our game planning, but from what we see in the little film we have, we expect to see some (different coverages) with a little bit of man. We expect to see some pressure from the linebackers, but nothing we won't be prepared for."

The Tigers return eight offensive starters from last season, including much of their line. Wide receivers Amiel Clark, Omar Colemen, and Devan Draughon along with running back Jack Tota, will be counted on. Seven starters are back on defense, including senior linebackers Andrew Elkarah and Kevin Wilson, and senior defensive back Treycen Bownes.

A pair of transfers, Justice Byrd (Ottawa) at quarterback, along with Malik Jassim (Plainfield Central) at running back, will also be looked to for Plainfield North, which plays in the West Division of the Southwest Prairie Conference. 

In last season's opening game, Payton Roberson was in on 10 tackles, had a sack, and grabbed an interception. As a middle linebacker, he's expected to lead the Lockport defense again. Juniors Colton Benaitis at free safety and Mike Pratt on the defensive line. Also, seniors Kevin Hippner on the defensive line as well as Anthony Polselli and Tristan Potete at defensive back, and John Sherrod at linebacker are expected to make an impact as the Porter defense should be a strong suit.  

Half of Lockport's regular season games in the past two years have been decided by seven points or less. That means the kicking game will be big. The Porters have a familiar name in that role again this season. That's junior Matt Blazewski. His older brother Nate Blasewski was in the placekicking role the past two seasons. Just like Nate, who was 17-of-24 on field goals in his two seasons with a long of 51, Matt can make a kick from 50-plus yards. 

"Matt is going to be the same type of kicker," Czart said. "Yes, special teams is very important and we always want to have good special teams."

Last year, the Tigers were one of six teams with four wins that qualified for the Illinois High School Association playoffs. That was based on their outstanding strength of schedule. It was their fourth straight season qualifying under coach Anthony Imbordino, who enters his sixth season at the school with a record of 32-16. There were no playoffs in the 2020-21 season. 

This is the 19th varsity season for the Tigers. They've had a lot of success in that time, making the playoffs 11 times, starting in 2009. In 2016, Plainfield North went all the way to the Class 7A State Championship Game, losing to an undefeated East St. Louis team 26-13, and finishing the season with a record of 11-3.

This will be the fourth-ever meeting between the two teams. They played each other in the second week of the season in both 2011 and 2012. Each time the home team won and ended up making the playoffs. The Porters blocked a punt in the fourth quarter in 2011, leading to the winning touchdown in a 28-21 victory. In 2012, Plainfield North won 35-2.

The evening schedule is for the varsity-only game to start at 6 PM. The forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of scattered thunderstorms with gusty winds, but that's out of everyone's control. It's a new season and it's exciting to open at home.

"We've got to get that first game," Czart said. "It's so important to your psyche to get a victory. Everything we are doing is geared for Week No. 1.

"We always have a great atmosphere and home-field advantage. We just want to live up to the hype and expectations and go from there."

By Randy Whalen

There are only nine regular season high school football games.

So the margin for error is slim. As it heads into a new season, with a new tough as ever revamped conference, the Lockport Township football team knows this and knows that it has to find a way to win the close games.

Last year, the Porters had five of their nine regular season games decided by seven points or less. They won their first two but lost the last three and finished the regular season 5-4. They then lost their opening playoff game by 30-plus points to a very good opponent for the second straight season.  

"I thought we could have been 8-1," Lockport coach George Czart said of last year's team. "We lost three games that came down to the end. If we win those, it's 8-1 in my math."

The trio of close setbacks were a 30-28 loss at Sandburg (week 4), a 38-32 loss at Bradley-Bourbonnais (week 5), and a 34-27 home loss to Homewood-Flossmoor (week 9). If Lockport wins any one of those, the first-round playoff pairing is much different.

In the 2022 season, which also finished 5-5, Lockport went 3-1 in close games and had a trio of them decided by one point. But one was a 28-27 double overtime loss at Andrew on the last day of the regular season. Again, this cost the Porters a higher playoff seed.

So what do they have to do to pull these close games out consistently?

"We're expecting close games and that's what we're training for," Czart said. "We have to stay calm, cool, and collected in those situations. Someone has to make a play and we've got to realize what got us to that point. 

"Last year we jumped out to some big leads and then let up at the end. There were times when the other team got on a roll and we didn't do well against teams that passed well. We have to compete at a steady flow and not get too high or too low in those games."

Senior middle linebacker Payton Roberson (5-foot-11 inches, 220 pounds) is expected to lead the defense again this season. He had 111 tackles and seven sacks last year in spearheading the Porter defense. He has a more direct approach as to how the team can win close games.

"We have to clean up the mistakes," Roberson said. "The less of those we have the more dominating we can be. It won't even be close."

Roberson was greatly influenced by seeing his older brother, Keegan Roberson, play wide receiver on the Porters Class 8A State Championship team in 2021. 

"I was on the sideline as a freshman to watch Keegan," Roberson recalled of the title game. "It was awesome to have a team like that and to reflect on what it took to get there."

The next year, Roberson moved up to the varsity for the 8A first-round game against Glenbard West. While Lockport lost 38-7, he made his impression in the matchup.

"I played in the first-round game against Glenbard West and got a sack and tackle for loss," Roberson said. "It was an awesome feeling knowing I could hang with the big dudes and now I'm a big dude.

"I want to make a big impact on the field. I love making big hits and not being afraid of anyone. I want to change everyone's game plan. We just need to have some key players make big plays. If we can clean up our little mistakes, we can dominate."

Roberson leads a big group of returners on the defensive side of the ball. A half dozen other guys got a lot of starting time and experience last year. They are juniors Colton Benaitis (6-2, 185) at free safety and Mike Pratt (6-5, 250) on the defensive line. Seniors Kevin Hippner (6-5, 204) and on the defensive line as well as Anthony Polselli (5-10, 160) and Tristan Potete (5-10, 170) at defensive back, and John Sherrod (6-0, 205) at linebacker. 

"We're looking forward to the new schedule," Sherrod said. "Our defense wasn't as good as we wanted it to be last year. So we're looking to step it up and take it to a new level. We've got to do our jobs. It's a team sport in the end and I think if all 11 guys do their jobs we'll be good.

"Football is a game of effort and once everyone gets their head into it and gets on the same page, we'll be on the right path."

Many others will be looked to on defense as well. They include senior Joe Borowski (5-10, 208) and juniors Jake Burnso (5′-10, 200), Andre Labuda (6-1, 215), and Chris Miller (5-11, 175) as linebackers. Seniors Ahmad Abusafieh (6-1, 230) and Brian Kwiatkowski (6-3, 220) on the defensive line, and juniors AJ Garcia (5-10, 150) and Nick Moerman (5-11, 180) at defensive backs. 

Last year, seven of Lockport's nine opponents made the postseason. Only Andrew and Bolingbrook did not. Following last season, Bolingbrook left the SouthWest Suburban Conference, leaving the league unbalanced. The same thing happened with the DuPage Valley Conference when West Aurora left that league.

So, in football only, the two powerhouse conferences combined into a 15-team league, the Southwest Valley, with three divisions. The Porters are in the Blue Division and will play traditional opponents, Homewood-Flossmoor and Lincoln-Way East as well as Neuqua Valley and Naperville North for their league games. 

Every team on this season's schedule, except for Waubonsie Valley, which was 4-5 last year, made the playoffs last fall. 

"We have some new teams on the schedule but the goal is to get better every game," Lockport senior running back Johnny Wesolowski said. "We just have to go back to our roots and find it within us to win the close games."

Wesolowski, who is 5-foot-11 and weighs 185 pounds, was one of a bevy of running backs who had over 100 yards rushing last season. He finished with 44 carries for 209 yards and two touchdowns as five players had over 100 yards rushing on the season.

He's looking for more this season but doesn't mind being one of the many backs if the Porters once again spread the wealth.

"This team has a lot of depth and I like that we can play a bunch of people at running back and give teams a different look," Wesolowski said. "It messes with their heads a little.

"We are looking forward to it. This (Friday) will be my last first game of high school football. It's a little emotional but I'm excited to have one more season with this group of kids. We are going to make the most of it."

Also being looked to at running back/halfback will be senior Tyler Pospisil (5-11, 200), junior Tyler Sefcik (5-9, 208) and Roberson may see some time at running back as well. 

The tight ends include seniors Adam Gieser (6-1, 185), Teddy Gorski (5-8, 200), and junior Mason Moore (6-3, 210). Wide receivers that will be looked to are senior Izeyah Pruitt (6-2, 177) along with juniors Brendan Mecher (6-0, 175) Adam Kozak (5-10, 146), and David Kundrat (5-11, 175), who never played football before this year.

Connor Cronin a 6-foot-2-inch, 310-pound offensive lineman saw the most time on offense of any returner from last year. He leads a group of linemen that are always in flux with injuries. But they include sophomore Ethan Posey (6-5, 290) who is already getting looks from major universities. 

Seniors Kaden Makhlouf (5-9, 235), Bryson Melgoza (5-10, 200), Michael Pew (6-4, 235), Keiland Vasvery (5-′10, 240) and junior Owen Wilczak (6-2, 220) will also be looked to anchor the line.

Last but obviously far from least is quarterback Conley Pfeiffer. The 5-foot-9 inch 165-pound senior will get his first starting time at quarterback. Filling in for Drew Gallagher, who was injured in the fourth quarter in the final regular season game, Pfeiffer nearly led a comeback against H-F. He finished last season 3-of-4 passing with 31 yards and added 10 carries for 18 yards and scored a touchdown.

He is the last of the Pfeiffer brothers, who all played quarterback for the Porters. Riley graduated in 2021 and Brady graduated in 2023. 

"I grew up watching my brothers play and got to be on the sidelines for the state title game," Conley Pfeiffer said. "That was a pretty cool feeling.

"I'm ready. Especially being an offensive guy. We plan to get in position and score every single drive. I know our defense can stop them so I'm ready to play. I can't wait. It will be my first time starting a varsity game and It'll be a good time."

Czart has complete trust in Pfeiffer but if needed Mecher will be looked to as the backup quarterback.

"Brendan will be on the field, probably at wide receiver," Czart said of Mecher. "We have to play good defense by playing good offense and controlling the ball. We also expected Declan Sojka to compete for the quarterback position. He's a senior and a good, smart, athletic kid. But unfortunately, his football career is over with a season-ending injury."

Matt Blazewski, a 6-foot, 175-pound junior, will handle the punting and placekicking duties. If that name sounds familiar it's because his older brother Nate Blasewski was in the placekicking role the past two seasons. Just like Nate, who was 17-of-24 on field goals in his two seasons with a long of 51, Matt can make a kick from 50-plus yards. 

After coming back to be the offensive coordinator last year, former head coach Bret Kooi decided not to return this season. Dave Pammer and Zach Vargas will handle the offensive play calls this season. Czart will be the defensive coordinator. 

Other varsity assistant coaches include Mark Carmen, Kyle Cook, Jimmy Fox, Derek Freiberg, Pete Kishline, Rob Schultz, Mike Schroeder, and Josh Vargas.

If the Porters can make the playoffs this season, which is something they certainly expect to do, it would match the longest postseason qualifying streak in school history. That was 2001-2004 and included a pair of Class 8A State Championships. 

There are five home games this season. All the home games are scheduled for 6 PM, including this Friday, August 30 season opener as Plainfield North comes to town.  

"Yes, let's play, I'm looking forward to it," Czart said. "We have a great opportunity to play a great sport and schedule. We're working hard to build our team up and not make any excuses.

"The Maroon and White Night (on Friday, August 23) went well and we came out injury-free. We are expecting good things this season and now it's time for us to deliver."

By Randy Whalen

When Mike Taylor first played high school football it was his sophomore season at Lincoln-Way North.

His coach? George Czart, who is now in his sixth season as the varsity coach at Lockport Township. 

This fall Czart has entrusted Taylor to take over as the sophomore coach for the Porters football team.

"I met George when I was the age of the kids I'm coaching now," Taylor said of playing on the first Lincoln-Way North sophomore team in the fall of 2007. "My dad was a football player at Lincoln-Way (when it was one school) and my brother played at Lincoln-Way East. 

"This is my sixth year at Lockport. George made such an impact on me as a sophomore that when I came here I talked my way onto his staff. I was the outside linebacker and defensive backs coach under George on the varsity for the past five years and now I'm the sophomore coach. We have over 60 kids out on the sophomore team alone and I'm very excited."

Taylor, who works in special education at Lockport, is excited to be the coach of his own team. But he's also excited to have a trio of veteran assistant coaches. They are Kevin Bolling, Ron Kulowski, and Ryan Russell.

"Being a new head coach and having three guys who have been in that role on the sophomore level is great," Taylor said. "One of the things right when I took the job is that I knew that Griffin Russell was going to be my quarterback. So my first test was to get Ryan Russell to coach down on the sophomore level with me. 

"I have a 2-year-old boy who is growing up around Lockport football, so I'm really big on getting family involved. So to have Ryan here, that dynamic is special."

With Ryan Russell, who was a varsity assistant for numerous years, as an assistant coach, and his son, Griffin Russell as the quarterback of the sophomore squad, the Porters plan to put that family dynamic to work.

"My had is the offensive coordinator and I like it," Griffin Russell said. "It builds a bond and we can put our heads together and build an offense together."

The younger Russell quarterbacked the freshmen "A" team to a 4-5 record last year. The sophomore squad went 3-6 a year ago and they expect to do a lot better this fall.

"The coaches have seen how much potential we have and are building on it," Griffin Russell said. "We want it to result in more W's this season. 

"I've only been a quarterback since I was a freshman at Lockport. I like bringing a level of communication to everyone. I feel like our offense and defense is based on communication."

Of course, Russell can't do it alone on offense either. Other key offensive players include linemen Jakob Gasienica-Szymkow, Alec Kruczak, Philip Ponterio, and Marcelo Thomas. Jayden Wesolawski, whose older brother Johnny Wesolowski is a running back on the varsity, will be a running back. Christian Mangan is a tight end and Rory Radatz, Eddie Rios, Khairi Sias and freshman MJ Redden will be looked to at wide receiver.

Mangan believes the team is ready to improve this season.

"We've got our guys in the right positions now," Mangan said. "It was all good last year too but this is different because our guys keep developing and our coaches have now put us over the top.

"I just love football. It's the friends you make playing here."

Defensively, Nick Ontiveros will be looked to as nose guard, while Cornell Bass and John Studer will also be on the line as defensive ends. Griffen Benson, Lucas Clark, and Logan Stewart will be linebackers, and twins Josh (at safety), and Matt (at cornerback) Kies as well as Jacob Manzo (cornerback) will be looked at as defensive backs. 

"I never played football until freshman year," Bass said. "I wanted to experience it. My dad (Corey Bass) played at Joliet West and encouraged me to play. My older brother, Corey Bass, Jr., also encouraged me to play.

"I love hitting and I like the contact. What I love about our team is the chemistry. It's there and we're going to go for it."

As has been the case since the COVID season of 2020-21, Lockport plays its home sophomore games at 9 AM on the Saturday mornings following the home varsity games. Starting on Saturday, August 31, there are five home games this season.

By Randy Whalen

As sixth graders, the current crop of Lockport Township freshmen football players got to watch the 2021 varsity Porters do something special.

Win the 2021 Class 8A State Championship.

So that attitude of success has rubbed off on this season's freshmen.

Take wide receiver/strong safety Kenny McElroy as an example. 

"That gives us high expectations," McElroy said of the Porters winning a state title a few years ago. "We just have to live up to what coaches tell you. 

"We want to go undefeated and be state champions by senior year. Just hard work and obsession over talent. That's what gets it done."

The Porters will look to get it done on the freshmen level this season. Last year they went 4-5 on the "A" level under coach Joe Dunlap. Just over a decade ago, Dunlap was playing freshmen football. A 2017 Lincoln-Way West graduate, he played his first three years at Lincoln-Way Central before the district reconfigured and he went to play for the Warriors his senior season.

As a player at Lincoln-Way West, Dunlap got to know now Lockport head coach, George Czart. Now in his second season as freshman coach, Dunlap knows he's better prepared for the job and has the players bought in.

"Last year was learning the Lockport grit," Dunlap said. "Just learning in and out the functions of Lockport. Just to take the 'Anchor Down' slogan we have and apply that thinking. 'Nothing is going to move me. I'm dug in.'"

With over a week to go before the first game, there are positions in place and others are still in flux. But Dunlap loved the spirit that his squad showed at practice on Wednesday, August 21.

"This (August 21) was our first full day with pads and it was electric," he said. "The guys want jobs and they're hungry and want to work. This class sits through eight hours of school to go to two hours of football practice."

Some defensive players that will be looked to are Matt Finnegan at nose tackle, Dylan McKeown at linebacker, Lou Schultz at outside linebacker and cornerback, and Tucker Temko on the defensive line.

"They are embracing the grind," Dunlap said. "A guy like Lou Schultz will come in and pick your pocket."

Offensively, there are guys with family ties to Lockport. JR Nartey, whose brother Leslie was a running back on the 2017 and 2018 teams, will be looked to as a running back. So will Noah Beltran, who will double as a safety. His older brother, Elijah who graduated this spring, was a running back for the Porter varsity the past two seasons.

"It takes all of us," JR Nartey said. "We have to do it as a team. We have to be dedicated and want to play the game of football.

"My brother played here and it's just a feeling. I want to live up to the name. Being on a Lockport team means the world to me."

Some standouts on the offensive line should include Donovan Edmonds and Kuba Kruczak. They will help protect quarterbacks Zach Vander Tuuk and Brennen Malloy, who can double as a wide receiver.

"They're committed and growing rapid crazy as players," Dunlap said of his quarterbacks. "They're students of the game."

A great thing about freshmen football is that it gets the kids better as players and as people. That fact is not lost on Austin Bielski, who will double at middle linebacker on defense and halfback on offense.

"We want to come out with a lot of wins but also with a lot of improvement and momentum," Bielski said. "We want to be ready and keep stacking on every year. We want to make sure that we're better every year."
 

By Randy Whalen

George Czart says things directly and to the point.

"Sure, it's good to see the guys getting the pads on at the summer camp," the veteran Lockport Township head football coach said. "But if this is their first time back at it, they're behind.

"The next day after the last season ends, we get after it. We get in the weight room. That's when it begins."

Yes, it does. However, summer camp allows the coaches to see everyone and for the team to bond again.

"We go from 8 to 10:30 AM Monday through Thursday," Czart said of the summer camp that ends on July 25. "It's gone great and been a very good camp. We have to find out what the kids can do. 

"We definitely want to get our 11 best guys on the field. There might be a late bloomer out there and we want to see what they can do. When the season starts, you get the top guys more turns. But now, in the summer, everything is equal time."

While the summer camp has been going strong since June 3, the team took to the field before that. A great offseason highlight was to participate in a special 7 vs. 7 game at Soldier Field on Mother's Day, May 12. There the Porters rallied in the final moments and defeated Lincoln-Way West 36-35. 

That was part of the Team Zone High School Spring 7-on-7 League, which started on April 21. Lockport won the championship for the second straight season on Sunday, June 2. 

"We were in the same league as Lincoln-Way West and were able to go up there for that game," Czart said of the Soldier Field experience. "I'm just excited that we're getting going and the guys are getting their accolades."

Conley Pfeiffer, who is expected to be the starting quarterback this season, gave his wide receivers their accolades for coming up big in the 7-on-7 game against Lincoln-Way West.

"I've got guys like Adam Gieser, Adam Kozak, Brendan Mecher, and Izeyah Pruitt at wide receiver," Pfeiffer said. "It was a good time being on that field (Solider Field) and a good experience. 

"When we played Lincoln-Way West it was a good game. It was two pretty good offensive teams and we we matched up pretty well. We played half the football field and we got one last drive and were able to score at the end. We will see them again in the regular season and it should be close again."

Pfeiffer is the final of a trio of brothers who have quarterbacked the Porters. Brady (Class of 2023) was the quarterback two years ago, and Riley (Class of 2021) was the starting quarterback for much of the spring of 2021 COVID season. 

"The 7-on-7 league was good for the offense," Pfeiffer said. "I expect the team to win this season. I thought our practice (on Tuesday, July 16) was one of the better ones this summer. We were clicking on a lot of things."

While Pfeiffer expects good things this season, he and the team know that a key to the offense is always the line. The anchor of the line this season will be fellow senior, Connor Cronin.

"I've played a lot at center but lately it's been more at guard and also at tackle too," Cronin said. "I'll play anywhere they need me. I got pulled up for the playoffs two years ago and was starting on the varsity last year. There were all seniors next to me last year and I learned a lot from them."

Along with the summer scrimmages, including 7-on-7, there were also youth camps. That's something that Czart always enjoys as it introduces kids to the program.

"We have our annual youth camp for fifth to eighth graders," Czart said of the camp in the third week of July. "It's gone well. I remember some of our now seniors at youth camp. Now they are helping by working the camp and that's cool to see."

Something else that's always cool is the Porter lineman participating in the "Battle of the Big Butts" This summer was the 24th annual edition of the event. It took place on Thursday, July 11 at West Aurora. The event attracted linemen from 27 different high schools with 104 five-man teams and over 520 athletes competing in various skill events and challenges. 

Those included a bench press, with the varsity starting at 185 pounds, and total reps counting for the team score. A 40-yard dash, medicine-ball throw, agility run including chutes, bags, cones, hurdle, ladders, tractor-tire relay, two-man teams flipping tires for 10 yards, a five-man sled drive for five seconds, a tug of war, and the always entertaining watermelon-eating race, which is a non-scoring event. But the team and individual winners were recognized.

West Aurora won its own competition, by capturing three events. But the Porters tied Wheaton North for second, winning two events. 

"It was a lot of fun and really good for team bonding," Cronin said of the "Battle of the Big Butts."We won the tire flip and the tug of war and got third overall. There were a lot of different teams and hundreds of guys compering."

While the actual football tryouts and practices are less than three weeks away, starting on Monday, August 12, Cronin believes that the summer camp set the tone.

"We have a tough schedule but we'll be just fine," he said. "Most of our opponents made the playoffs last year. But that's why you play them, to be the best."

By Randy Whalen

Johnny Wesolowski is a senior and the top running back for the Lockport Township football team this fall. In the Porters' first two games, he's rushed for over 300 yards and scored six touchdowns.

What must you do to rebound from the disappointing 22-21 loss to Wheaton North last week?
"We have to learn from it and regroup as a team. We have to come out on all cylinders, move on, and hopefully bounce back this week against Neuqua Valley."

When did you start playing football? 
"I started playing over 10 years ago for the Homer Stallions when I was 6 or 7. I've always played tackle football, never flag. First for the Stallions and then at Lockport."

Don't you have family ties to Lockport football?
"Yes. My uncle David Sliwa, played on both the 2002 and 2003 Lockport Class 8A state title teams at running back. We talk about it and we played backyard football together. He comes to the games now." 

Did you play any other sports?
"I ran track as a freshman and sophomore. But not last year. I plan to do it again this coming spring though. I do the short sprints, the 100, 200, and 400. Plus I do some of the relays and the hurdles. But you can't beat football."

What is it about football that makes it the sport for you?
"Football is the greatest team sport. You have to trust everybody and everyone has to work together. I also love the physicality. There are so many aspects that make it so much fun. There's so much that goes into it."

You're a humble guy and give a lot of credit to the offensive line for your success so far this season. But what is it that's made you so successful in the first two games this season?
"It was just a lot of hard work in the offseason. As soon as last season was over some other guys and I went to work out together and kept it up. But the O-Line helps too. It's just been great together."

What have you learned from Lockport football coach, George Czart?
"What have I not learned? I've learned so much. Just his pregame speeches. They get us going for the games, He holds everyone accountable, including himself. He's just great to be around."

What is your favorite music to listen to?
"More recently I've listened to calm, relaxing music. Just an hour or two before the game. That gets me more relaxed and gets me where I need to be. I was so fired up in Week One that I threw up before the game. So this has helped me relax." 

Do you plan to play football in college?
"Yes, 100 percent. I'm just blessed to have that opportunity and I'm thankful that I've talked to a handful of schools already. I've gone on a couple of visits. I played some middle linebacker as a freshman so I'd be willing to switch if need be. I just love to play football."

What is the best thing about being an athlete at Lockport?
"The culture. It's like a football town. Everyone comes to the games and the stands get filled. There's nothing like it. Lockport is a sports town and that's just awesome."

By Randy Whalen

John Sherrod lll is a senior and a returning starter at linebacker for the Lockport Township football team this fall. His sack capped the Porters' 28- 21 opening-week win over Plainfield North.  

How big was it to get the victory in Week One?
"We always want to start the season with a win. It's a step in the right direction. We did a good job stopping the run but we have to do a better job defending the passing game."

How did you start playing football? 
"I started when I was about six with the Joliet Ravens. I was going to go up to the tackle football level right away and that summer I got scared and quit. I was going to play with the bigger guys and I couldn't handle it. But I begged my dad to let me play the next year and he did. My dad (John Sherrod ll) played football at Romeoville. So I've always grown up around football."

Did you play any other sports?
"I used to play baseball, mostly T-Ball, as a kid. But that was about it."

What is it about football that makes it the sport for you?
"Just the environment. Being around the guys that I grew up with. But also being out in front of the crowd and having fun."

Have you always played defense?
"Well, I was a wing-back/H-back my freshman year. But now I'm just defense. I get a lot of reps as the inside/edge linebacker. But if they wanted to put me in on offense, I'd like to think that is something that I could do and help with."

What have you learned from Lockport football coach, George Czart?
"Coach Czart says to 'control what you can control.' He always implements life lessons and things into his speeches. He says to 'flow like water between cracks' You have to flow like water but still be present."

Is there an opponent that you're looking forward to playing the most this season?.
"I'd say Naperville North (on Friday, Sept. 27 at home). There's a lot of talk about them having some transfers that have come in this season. Also, I've never played against them before so I think it'll be a good game."

What is your favorite music to listen to?
"I like to listen to a lot of things. Rap, some R&B, and country music here and there. But right before a game I get calm and in a zone and listen to Lauryn Hill." 

Do you plan to play football in college?
"Yes, 100 percent. I'm looking at some schools that are recruiting me. I just want to narrow it down and close in on a couple of schools by the end of the season. It doesn't matter where the school is but I would like it to be close enough where my family can see me play."

What is the best thing about being an athlete at Lockport?
"I like the community. There's a great group of people that come out and support the team. It's great to be in a community that is tight like that."
 

By Randy Whalen

Conley Pfeiffer is a senior in his second varsity season. He is entering his first season as the starting quarterback for the Lockport Township football team this fall.

You take over as quarterback this season. What is the goal for you and the team?
"The simple goal is to improve. Team-wise, the first goal is to make the playoffs. Then to go on and win the state."

What's it going to take to do that? 
"We're going to have a good defense and a lot of returning guys on that side of the ball. We're going to have a lot of confidence going into the season. A lot of games will come down to one score and one drive and we have to come out on the right end of it"

How long have you been playing football?
"I started young. My parents (Jim and Karen) started me early in flag football. I've been involved with my brothers too and played for the Homer Stallions through eighth grade."

Do you play any other sports and if not, what is it about football that makes it the sport for you?
"I played baseball at the start of high school. But I only played my freshmen year and now I concentrate on football. I just like the aspect of it being a team game. Just build on the team and have it be that competitive atmosphere where you lean on your teammates and they lean on you."

You are the last of three brothers, and you have all played quarterback for the Porters. Riley was the varsity quarterback in the shortened 2021 spring season, and Brady was the quarterback of the 2022 team. Plus, your dad, Jim, was an assistant coach at Lockport for the first two Class 8A state title football teams in 2002 and 2003. What influence did they have on you?
"Yes, I think my dad misses coaching. But it's great that I can talk to my dad and my brothers about football. I can lean on them for advice. so it's great to have that football connection. I have a younger sister too. Kali, who is currently at Homer Junior High."

What have you learned from Lockport football coach, George Czart?
"I've learned a lot. He's been through succesful runs and he's made me more competitive. Just hearing the speeches he gives has made me more of a competitive football player."

Drew Gallagher was the starting quarterback last year. So you didn't get to play a lot. But did you have a highlight moment when you did?
"Yes, just being able to come in at the end of the Homewood-Flossmoor game (a 34-27 loss on Oct. 20, 2023) and come through for the most part. (He scored from a yard out with 1:55 to play in the game and, following an onside kick recovery, Pfieffer completed three straight passes. But the last of them, an 8-yard gain down to the 19, was fumbled and H-F recovered with 1:15 remaining and ran out the clock). It was my first time playing in a close game and I knew I had to make some plays."

What is your favorite music to listen to?
"It depends on my mood. Before a game, I listen to a lot of rap and hip-hop. But I also listen to a lot of country music during the summer. There's a lot of variety."

Do you plan to play football in college?
"I'm 100 percent open to playing in college, but I'm yet to have much contact with any college coaches which is understandable with my lack of varsity film. If I were to have a good year and get the opportunity to play at the next level, it would most likely be at quarterback, but if I were recruited for something else there wouldn't be a problem."

What is the best thing about being an athlete at Lockport?
"It's an honor to play a sport at Lockport. Athletics is a big part of our school, especially football. It's a good feeling if our football team starts well and has a good year. For Lockport, that's always a big deal."

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