Lights on for Lane Tech Offense, Lane Stadium
Prior to tonight's game, there have been only four night games in Lane stadium history. Last year, Lane won the first ever night game versus Curie, Lane beat up on the Dukes of York High School in the first ever playoff night game at Lane stadium, and 2005 state champ beat Lane's Couri Benz led city championship team in an exciting 2nd round playoff game. This year Lane crushed Waukegan in the first ever opening home night game in Lane stadium history. Lane Tech thrashed the Steinmetz streaks 46-0 tonight, to make Lane's all time record for night games at homeat 5-1.
But despite the exciting atmosphere that the temporary lights and the fact that the game was being televised by Channel 26 brought out, there was another even more meaningful purpose to tonight's game. There has been a recent push by the Lane community (including Lane Tech Athletic Director and head coach Rich Rio, the Lane Tech Football Parents Association, and the Lane Tech Football Booster club led by President Tony Chronis) to create not only permanent lights at Lane Stadium but to also upgrade the football field and stadium as well as other facilities (practice fields and baseball and softball fields). Signs of this push were definitely on display in tonight's game. Lane Alumni were asked to sign a petition to Arnie Duncan (CEO of the Chicago Board of Education), the football booster club was selling "Field of Dream" shirts, and even the Cheerleading team was holding giant poster that said Arne Duncan Save our Stadium.
The game started inauspiciously for Steinmetz. The very first pass was picked off by Lane defensive back Jorge Robles for a 15 yard interception return for a touchdown. Steinmetz then held Lane until two surprising quarterback sneaks by Matt Richard led to a 5 yard touchdown run star running back William Moorehead with 8:56 remaining in the half. Moorehead (16 carries, 136 yards, 3 Touchdowns) scored another touchdown with 6:47 to play in the half to put Lane Tech comfortably ahead 21-0. Lane struck again to open the second half on a 22 yard touchdown pass to Division I prospect, wide receiver Xavier Torres (9 catches, 188 yards, 1 TD). That made the score Lane 27, Steinmetz 0. Moorhead scored his third touchdown of the day on a one yard run with 5:05 left in the 3rd quarter to make the score 33-0. Lane added another touchdown on a 18 yard touchdown reception by part-time receiver Mike Vergara. The final score came on a 7 yard touchdown run by much improved Lane running back Brandon Carter as time expired.
With the pre-season Illini-Redbird conference favorite CVS loss (34-26) today to Curie, Lane (3-2, 2-0 in the Illini-Redbird) is now the favorite to win its second conference title in a row. Next week, Lane will face new Illini-Redbird opponent Whitney Young for its Homecoming game.