On Friday, Sept. 13, Hinsdale Central played against rival Lyons Township (LT) in the third regular season football game at home on Dickenson Field. The varsity team lost 16-21.
7:30 p.m. marked the time of kickoff, and the stands were jam-packed as varsity faced off against the opposing team.
“Such an amazing game by both of these teams…Everyone in the stands was electric and it’s always great to see both of these teams play their hearts out every year,” said Mason Bernacki, senior.
With one minute and six seconds remaining in the second quarter, Hinsdale Central’s field goal gets blocked and LT returns it all the way for the first touchdown of the game. Hinsdale Central responds back with a passing touchdown. The first half ended with a score of 7-7.
The second half starts out with an early touchdown by LT, soon after Hinsdale gets a field goal, making the score 10-14. In the last five minutes of the game, LT scored another receiving touchdown. Riley Contreras, Hinsdale Central quarterback, runs into the endzone in the last two minutes, keeping the comeback hopes alive with a touchdown.
Hinsdale Central plays defense and forces LT to punt. Central had one minute and ten seconds to muster a comeback drive and seal the win. Everyone is hyped and the fans are going wild during this last drive. With 5 seconds left on the clock, Riley Contreras throws to the end zone, but it falls incomplete and Hinsdale Central loses to LT 16-21.
“We tried our best but in the end we lost, that’s all that matters, doesn’t matter by how much you lost, if you lost then you lost,” said Owen Stamer, varsity player.
This marks Hinsdale Central’s first loss in conference but hopes are still high and they have plans to bounce back next week against J Sterling Morton High School by keeping consistent in training.
“This loss was a tough pill to swallow, but we have to just keep moving forward and work on our gameplan, game by game,” Stamer said.
Through the team’s loss, the game is still a memorable experience for the students. The student section was dressed up in Hawaiian outfits to complete that pool theme. The rivalry between the two schools is a beloved aspect of school life.
“We do have a nasty rivalry between our schools, but at the end of the day it’s all love, both teams played great today,” said a Lyons Township parent.
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