Henning seals victory for Griffins
DeKALB — There were warning signs throughout the season, moments of brilliance from LincolnWay East sophomore AJ Henning that showed he could be a devastating offensive force. The speedster had come up huge against Maine South and Lincoln- Way Central.
The Griffins never leaned too heavily on Henning, though; he never became the focal point of the offense. Maybe that stored energy allowed for the sparks that led Lincoln- Way East to a 23- 14 victory against Loyola in the Class 8A state title game Saturday at Huskie Stadium.
“It was a great play- call; the line got a great push up front,” Henning said. “I hit the seam and went right up the sideline.’’
Henning had 17 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns. His 42yard touchdown run with 3: 44 to play sealed the win for the Griffins ( 14- 0). Henning’s first touchdown run, a terrific 63- yard sweep around right end, came in the third quarter and gave the Griffins a brief 13- 7 lead.
“[ Henning] had a little injury that slowed him down a little bit this season,” Lincoln- Way East coach Rob Zvonar said. “He’s a special talent but the first one to give credit to his blockers. When the chips are down, you have a shot when [ Henning] has the ball.’’
Loyola drove down the field and retook the lead on a two- yard run by quarterback Quinn Boyle with 9: 12 left.
Lincoln- Way East kicker Dominic Dzioban kicked a 32- yard field goal with 5: 11 to play that put the Griffins ahead 16- 14 and set up Henning’s game- sealing fireworks.
The Ramblers ( 12- 2) were able to pick up plenty of yardage, outgaining the Griffins 354 yards to 253, but just weren’t able to get into the end zone enough.
Boyle was 27- for- 44 for 315 yards and one touchdown. Receiver Noah Jones caught eight passes for 135 yards, and Rory Boos caught eight for 84 yards.
Lincoln- Way East quarterback Brendan Morrissey was 5- for- 11 for 79 yards and one touchdown.
“[ Henning] is a heck of a player; the speed definitely killed us,” Loyola coach John Holecek said. “The majority of kids playing against us don’t make that run. He just hesitates and waits for something to develop, then he explodes.”
Lincoln- Way East finished second in Class 7A in 2012 and won the 8A title in 2005.
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