Lincoln-Way East
High School

2007 Schedule

8/24 7:00 H
New Lenox (Providence)
8/31 7:00 @
St. Charles (East)
9/7 7:30 H
*Bradley (B.-Bourbonnais)
9/14 7:00 @
*Tinley Park (Andrew)
9/21 7:00 H
*Joliet (Twp.)
9/28 7:30 @
*Bolingbrook
10/5 7:00 H
*New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central)
10/12 7:00 @
*Orland Park (Sandburg)
10/19 7:00 H
*Lockport (Twp.)
#### - Enrollment
*Conference Game

Stadium Directions

Week #1 New Lenox (Providence) (0-1)
8/24/2007

Griffin defender bend Celtics' QB Tom Barry like a pretzel late in East's 14-6 victory Friday night. View more photos from this game & others

Sluggish Start For Both Sides

Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) - While the score may suggest more of a defensive battle, both sides looked like they had some first game kinks to work out.

"We need to get the running game going a little better, And we didn't have that much time to throw the ball. We need to be a little more efficient on both side of the ball." Was Providence head coach Mark Coglianese summary of the Celtics season opener.

Lincoln East head coach Rob Zvonar expected it was going to be a hard fought game said, "I'm real proud of our offense. Not a lot of points but we controlled the clock... They kept us off the field and allowed us to play well."

Both Providence's Drew Abernathy (RB, foot injury) & East's Dan Giordano (DL, discipline) didn't suit up for the big matchup, leaving other players to step up for the absent playmakers.

While Sean Lindbloom seen a lot of carries on offense for Providence. T.J. Jackson's (DE 6'3 205 sr.) play for Lincoln-Way East was the game breaker. With 3 sacks, several hurries and a blocked extra point kick, Jackson's only other competition for player of the game would have to be Nick Pecho (DB 6'3 180 sr.) who's 2 interceptions help cap off a big win for the Griffins as well as one heck of a way to celebrate his 17th birthday.

Dan Cebula had a 2 yard TD (not pictured) to put the Griffins up 14-6. View more photos from this game & others

Providence started the day scoring off with a 2 yard touchdown on a QB keep by Tom Barry (QB 6'2 180 sr.). A play that was set up by a 54 yard reception to Hayden Grove (WR 6'2 180 sr.) with 3:55 left in the 2nd quarter.

East would strike back on the very first play from scrimmage on the following kick off, when Blake Hammond (QB 6'5 230 sr.) ran to his left and had nothing but day light on a 74 touchdown yard run to put the Griffins up 7-6 with 3:34 left in the half.

Hammond would throw 2 interceptions of his own on the night. One to Frank Caritoti & another to Matt Hayes. While third year starter Dan Cebula (RB 5'10 200 sr.) didn't exactly put up fantasy numbers Friday, his 2 yard TD plunge helped put the Griffins up by eight with 3:57 left in the third.

Pecho's second interception, along with defensive pressure from Jackson, Kyle Pena in the backfield of Providence, helped keep the Celtics from getting within scoring distance again.

by Vincent Johnson

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A hand from no where. T.J. Jackson hat 3 sacks, a couple of hurries & this blocked extra point. . View more photos from this game & others

Related Stories:
-2005 8A State Finals
-2005 Week #4 recap

Photo Archive:
-2005 8A State Finals
-2002 Week #1

Photo Ordering

Team Accomplishments

State Champs
-2005 8A

Runner up
None

Semifinals
2006 8A, 2005 8A, 2004 8A

Conference Champs
Southwest Suburban (Blue)
2006

School Facts

Football Enrollment:
3849.00

Conference:
Southwest Suburban (Blue)

Class:
8A

School Colors:
Cobalt Blue/Black/White

Nickname:
Griffins

Head Coach:
Rob Zvonar

Last Season's Record:
12-1

First Varsity Season:
2001

Past Player Watch
-
-
-
-

2006 Schedule

8/25 7:30 @
New Lenox (Providence) 1775.40
9/1 7:00 H
Naperville (Central) 3139.00
9/8 7:30 @
*Bradley (B.-Bourbonnais) 1950.00
9/15 7:00 H
*Tinley Park (Andrew) 2614.00
9/22 7:00 @
*Joliet (Twp.) 5208.00
@ Memorial Stadium
9/29 7:00 H
*Bolingbrook 3447.00
10/6 7:00 @
*New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central) 2954.00
10/13 7:00 H
*Orland Park (Sandburg) 3771.00
10/20 7:00 @
*Lockport (Twp.) 3761.00

2005 Schedule

8/26 7:00 H
New Lenox (Providence) 1786.95
9/2 7:30 @
Naperville (Central) 3101.00
9/9 7:00 H
Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.) 3012.00
9/16 7:15 @
Orland Park (Sandburg) 3574.00
9/23 7:00 H
Bolingbrook 3160.00
9/30 7:00 @
Lockport (Twp.) 3524.00
10/7 7:00 @
New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central) 2748.00
10/14 7:00 H
Flossmoor (Homewood-F.) 2924.00
10/21 7:00 @
Joliet (Twp.) 5228.00
@ Joliet West

2004 Schedule

8/27 7:00 H
Oak Lawn (Richards) 1645
9/3 7:30 H
Chicago (St. Rita) 0
9/10 7:00 H *
Orland Park (Sandburg) 3401
9/18 1:00 @ *
South Holland (Thornwood) 2328
9/24 7:00 H *
Lockport (Twp.) 3297
10/1 7:00 H *
New Lenox (Lincoln-Way Central) 2624
10/8 7:30 @ *
Flossmoor (Homewood-F.) 2767
10/15 7:00 H *
Joliet (Twp.) 4993
10/22 7:00 @ *
Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.) 2955
@ Bloom Trail

2003 Schedule

8/29 7:00 H
Park Ridge (Maine South) 2425
9/5 7:30 @
Chicago (St. Rita) 1598
9/12 7:00 @ *
Orland Park (Sandburg) 3341
9/19 7:00 H *
South Holland (Thornwood) 2420
9/26 7:00 @ *
Lockport (Twp.) 3180
10/3 7:00 @ *
New Lenox (Lincoln Way) 2528
10/10 7:30 H *
Flossmoor (Homewood-F.) 2641
10/17 7:00 @ *
Joliet (Twp.) 4779
10/24 7:00 H *
Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.) 2812

2002 Schedule

8/31 2:00 @
Park Ridge (Maine South) 2367
9/6 7:00 H
St. Charles (North) 1780
9/14 1:00 @ *
Harvey (Thornton) 2334
9/20 7:00 H *
Lockport (Twp.) 3007
9/27 7:00 H *
New Lenox (Lincoln Way) 2955
10/4 7:00 @ *
Flossmoor (Homewood-F.) 2624
10/11 7:00 H *
Joliet (Twp.) 4534
10/18 7:00 @ *
Chicago Heights (Bloom Twp.) 2774
@ Chicago Hts. (Bloom Trail)
10/25 7:00 H *
Orland Park (Sandburg) 3269
#### - Enrollment
*Conference Game