LUCAS -- The Lucas Cubs went into Week 9 with a must-win mentaility.
They needed it because with a win over Division III Lutheran East, the Cubs would put themselves in position to make a 13th straight playoff appearance whereas a loss was sure to sink their season. They pulled off an inspiring 26-12 win over a school twice their size by scoring three touchdowns on fourth and goal and pitching a second-half shutout on defense to send them skyrocketing up the Division VII Region 27 playoff ratings.
Let's take a dive into all of the details from a spectacular Friday night.
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LUTHERAN EAST: D'Shaun Johnson 2-yard run. Kick blocked. 6-6. 3:50.
LUTHERAN EAST: Sam'ir Scott 23-yard pass from Elijah Armstead-Jackson. 2-point conversion failed. 12-6. 1:13.
Defensive Highlights: Alegacy Grose, Noah Kinnard one sack apiece. Brady Anstutz and Tim Daley one interception apiece.
Lutheran East
PASSING: Elijah Armstead-Jackson: 9-for-18, 95 yards, Touchdown, 2 Interceptions.
RECEIVING: Sam'ir Scott: 4 receptions, 50 yards, Touchdown.
Lucas senior Tim Daley on what was the Cubs' focus coming into a must-win game: "It was all about just pounding the ball and never stopping. We wanted to play four quarters of physical football. Our focus was on not stopping until the quarters ran out, and that is what we did tonight."
Daley on how the Cubs managed to play a better second half after several games of second-half letdowns this season: "Since Saturday in film and the entire week of practice leading up, the whole theme of the week was to play a complete four quarters no matter what. We pushed through and put together a great game and this is what we get."
Lucas junior Brady Guegold on scoring two of his three touchdowns on fourth and goal and teh Cubs scoring three times on similar situations: "Our offense is based around running the ball as hard as we can and getting a couple yards every time. So, when we are faced with a fourth and goal with a short distance, we just pound the ball has hard as we can, and we feel like good things can happen."
Guegold on the focus coming into a must-win game if the Cubs are to see postseason play for the 13th straight year: "We had more motivation than we have had all year long. When we play with that kind of motivation, we can be pretty good."
Lucas coach Jim Sweat on how he prepared his team to play in a must-win game if it wanted to make the playoffs: "We knew we had to win out to give ourselves a chance to see Week 11. This was Step 1 and next week will be Step 2 as we try to get a win against a great football team in Crestline. We challenged our guys this week to stay focused, but have that hunger. The last three weeks, we have talked about not looking backwards and just moving forwards with the opportunities ahead of us. What happened has happened and we can't change it. These last two weeks, the kids have responded in practice and on game night. I can't ask for more. This was a great ballgame against a very athletic team that puts up a ton of points and to hold them scoreless in the second half was special."
Sweat on scoring three touchdowns on fourth and goal: "Hey, that is Lucas Football, baby. We believe that we can run for 3 yards, 3 yards, 3 yards and every now and then, we believe we can get that extra one on fourth down. We have the mindset that every play will get us three yards and it paid off tonight. Earlier in the year, we weren't doing that, but tonight, the guys up front accepted the challenge after we lost Joey Culler, one of our top offensive and defensive linemen. They guys stepped up with a next-man-up mentality, and the kids are doing what they are supposed to be doing."
The Cubs improve to 4-5 on the season and host Crestline in Week 10 with a chance to clinch a postseason berth. Lutheran East falls to 4-5 and hosts John F Kennedy in Week 10.