Maple Park - It was a perfect night for football - the third in row for the Kaneland Knights as they moved to a perfect 3-0 for the season beating Lemont 37-7. The Knights were given this game by the the visiting Lemont Injuns as they tuned the ball over to the home team 8 times - 5 of them on interceptions.



Maybe it had something to do with fact they where playing a team that hadn't lost a game in it's last 30 tries. Or maybe it was just the fact the Injuns have never beaten the Knights. Or maybe it was coach Rich Kearney's attack defensive strategy. Or just maybe the Knights are just darn good.

Whatever the case the Knights who came into this one a little nervous as they knew the Injuns had the kind of explosive power that would test their defense didn't back down a bit.

Despite a truck load of injuries the Knights would often times stack 7 men on the line and have more white shirts in the Injuns backfield after the the ball was hiked than green jerseys. The result was turnover after turnover. At one point the the Knights ended five straight Lemont series with turnovers (4 interceptions and one fumble).

It took Lemont just 12 seconds for their first turnover as they fumbled the ball on their own 9 yard line on the first play from scrimmage. Shawn Fuller fell on the ball and 80 seconds later Ryan Schrader carried it across the goal line from 2 yards out for an early 7-0 Kaneland lead.

That was followed with Lemont's only successful drive of the night as they moved the ball 63 yards in just 6 plays, (37 of those on the speedy shoes of quarterback and sprinter Nick Bromberek).

The first quarter ended even up at 7 apiece. But just 4 seconds into the second quarter Kaneland quarterback Dave Issel followed center Matt Nelson into the end zone from 2 yards out and the Knights were back up top 14-7. The TD was setup by nifty 40 yard run by Ben Rogers who's path was paved by the blocking of #19 Scott Pitstick.



A 25-yard field goal with 4:17 to play before half by Josh Dimitri and fun begun. Leading 17-7 Rogers picked off a Bromberek pass.

On the next play Ryan Schrader broke loose for 72 yards and Kaneland had a 24-7 lead.

Then with just 47 seconds left in the first half and Lemont moving to within 31 yards of the Kaneland goal line, a massive pass rush by Matt Schiff and Justin Oas (who was replacing a injured Fuller) forced Bromberek to loft a floater, which Schrader cradled in his arms to end the Injuns threat and the half, with the Knights leading 24-7.

In the second half Lemont continued where they left off when Wayne Shaw intercepted a Injuns pass on their first play in the third quarter. The Knights then moved down field 50 yards in ten plays finishing up with yet another 2-yard run - this one by Rogers. Dimitri who was 4 for 5 in extra points kicked this one out of stadium for a 31-7 Kaneland led.

On the kickoff Lemont fumbled the ball again and Matt McGinnis became the proud new owner. The Knights took just one play to score as Schrader did his brother imitation trick and high tailed it for 27 yards and the game's final score. This time Dimitri missed, but it didn't matter as the Knights lead by 30 points, 37-7.

In wrapping up the game Mike Merfeld added a pick of his own to the list nice plays by the Knights. Rogers also got a late INT, his second of the game to go along with a TD. And Doug Robinson who relieved Issel at quarterback connected up with Frank Dornedon for nifty 24-yard pass play.

The Knights had 480 total yards, 400 of them on the ground. They showed off a balanced running attack with Rogers holding the ball 11 times, Issel 11, Schrader 10 and Tony Signorella 10. Schrader won the rushing trophy with 128 yards and 3 TD's.

Lemont quarterback #44 Nick Bromberek lead the Injuns running attack with 111 yards and added 73 more with his passing. He accounted for all but 33 of Lemont's 217 yards. He also returned kickoffs, punts, punted, held for the kicker and was reported seen driving the school bus back to Lemont.

Kaneland despite dominating the score and the yardage totals 480-213, had only 15 first downs to Lemont's 12. A bit of a surprise if you watched the game. How did they get 12 first downs?

Oh and by the way, if you find Kaneland's passing game will you please let coach Joe Thorgesen know where it is. The Knights completed only 4 passes in 14 attempts. Half of the receptions were by Robbie Beirtz and another was grabbed by converted linebacker Justin Wolbers.

Lemont meanwhile complete 16 passes - 5 of them to the Kaneland defensive backfield. Now just a minute Nellie - you mean to say the Kaneland defense caught more passes than the Kaneland offense?

Humm, that just don't figure.

Sophomore Game

In the Sophomore game the Knights won there second game against just one lose beating Lemont 14-6. The Knights jumped off to an early lead as QB Connor Michalek scored from 2 yards out in the first quarter. The TD was set up by a couple of long runs by Brent Harner. Sean McKeown kicked the PAT for a 7-0 Kaneland lead.

However, midway through the second quarter Kaneland lost the ball and Lemont raced 45 yards for what proved to be their only score. The 2-point conversion failed keeping Kaneland in the lead 7-6.

Then with 13.1 seconds left in the half, Brent Harner broke loose and scampered 41 yards across field for Kaneland's second TD. McKeown's kick was perfect and the Knights led 14-7 as they went into the locker room. They also led 14-7 as they went home as there was no scoring in the second half.

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