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 21-16.
The kickoff started at 7:30 p.m. with the stands packed with fans from both teams.
“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 got blocked with LT returning it all the way for the first touchdown of the game. Hinsdale Central responded with a passing touchdown. The first half ended with a score of 7-7.
The second half started out with an early touchdown by LT, soon after Hinsdale got 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, ran into the endzone in the last two minutes, keeping the comeback hopes alive with a touchdown.
Hinsdale Central played defense and forced LT to punt. Central had one minute and ten seconds to muster a comeback drive and seal the win. With fans cheering from the sideline and five seconds left on the clock, Contreras threw to the endzone, but ended the game with an incomplete.
“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 game plan, 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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