Lockport Beats Lane in First Permanent Light Night Game in Lane Stadium History

Lockport 31- Lane 6

August 25, 2006

After finishing the 2005 season a disappointing 3-6 and losing most of their offensive stars to graduation including the quarterback and star running back Terrance Dillard, Lockport fans were very cautious if not pessimistic of their chances this year. The 2005 record was not what their fans were accustomed to seeing over the previous years. For during the 2002-2003 Lockport fielded an incredible 33-4 regular season record including 2 state championships.

Lockport fans traveled far to attend a rare game versus a Chicago Public League team. However, they left the game a little bit more optimistic of their team as they watched their Porters beat the Lane Tech Indians 31-6 at Lane Stadium. The game had a lot more energy in the air in that not only was this the first game of the season for both teams but it also marked the first night game with permanent lights in Lane stadium history.

Lane’s defense held the Porters in the first drive of the game. However, the Lockport punt pinned Lane inside their own 5 yard line. After a 3 and out Lane was forced to punt deep inside their end zone. Lockport got the ball back in excellent position but the Lane defense held them back again and was Lockport was forced to punt. Again, the Lockport made a good punt and forced Lane again back deep in their own territory. There Lockport’s defense again put the clamps on Lane’s offense and again forced Lane to punt deep inside their own territory. Lane punter James Glaesser was forced to rush his punt and made a short line drive punt. Lockport punt returner Dusty Sluzewicz fielded the punt at the 50 yard line and sprinted to the end zone untouched for a Lockport 7-0 lead with 2:15 in the first quarter. Lockport struck again with a 40 yard touchdown pass just before the half to make the score 14-0.

Lockport got three more scores in the 2^nd half to put the game away. The first was a 1 yard touchdown run and the second was a 20 yard touchdown run by running back Curtis Cozzi.

Lane’s only points of the game came on an 80 yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Fuad Salami in the 4^th Quarter.

Lockport (1-0) starts out the season with a much needed win, for their remaining schedule is brutal. This season the Porters will play football powerhouses Thornton, Lincoln-Way Central, Bolingbrook, and defending state champion Lincoln-Way East.

Lane will have their hands full the next two weeks as Central Suburban League South power Evanston and 2005 City runner up Simeon will visit Lane Stadium. If Lane wants any chance to have a decent seed in the playoffs, they will need to beat one if not both of those teams.