Kozak gets his kicks
From video crew to kicker, senior backup boosts Lincoln-Way East past rival Lincoln-Way Central
Backup kicker Michael Kozak booted two extra points after Lincoln-Way East built up a 33-point lead over district rival Lincoln-Way Central.
The several hundred fans in the stands went wild.
But they didn’t make as much noise Friday night as the 100-plus army of players and coaches on the Griffins’ sideline during a 41-0 SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover victory in Frankfort.
Kozak, a senior, was a member of the team’s video crew for three years, but he decided he wanted to play football. He said he worked with various kicking coaches to reach this point.
“It meant the world to me to kick two extra points,” Kozak said. “I missed the first one, but I couldn’t thank coach (Rob Zvonar) and the whole staff enough.
“It’s just a blessing to get out here and kick. It means everything to me.”
Kozak said the only other time he played football was in fifth grade, referring to himself as the “fifth-quarter safety.”
Senior defensive back Henry Woods called Kozak “the heart and soul of this team.” Zvonar was happy Kozak could enjoy some time in the spotlight.
“I’m very proud of (him),” Zvonar said.
“Declan Emery is our first-string kicker and is going to be an all-conference, all-area, all-state kicker next year for us, but Mikey is out here working every day.
“I catch him working on his own on the weekends and late at night. He really worked his tail off for this opportunity. I think Declan was as happy for him as anyone.”
Lincoln-Way East (3-0), which notched its second straight shutout, was sparked by Woods’ interception on the third play of the game.
Woods played three years at Lincoln-Way Central but transferred to East for family reasons. He said there was no trash-talking with his former teammates.
But he did hear a little something from the visiting stands.
“One of the dads said, ‘We’re not worried about you No. 9,’ ” Woods said. “The next play, I got the ball. It was great to do that against my old team.”
Even though Zvonar subbed freely throughout the game, the defense stayed strong. The Knights (1-2) ran 31 plays for only 30 yards. The longest gain was a 6-yard pass play from Turner Doran to Nolan Recker.
Along with Woods’ interception, the defense delivered fumble recoveries from Ryan Farmer, Jeremy Veleta and Kyle Hrkel. Jacob Peterson
added a fumble recovery on special teams.
Woods has been impressed.
“This might be the best defense to come through here, honestly,” he said. “I believe so in my heart. This is the most dominant defense I’ve ever been a part of or have ever seen in my life in high school.”
The Griffins were blessed with great field position most of the game.
Quarterback Sean Walsh threw for 91 yard and touchdowns to Jack Tremblay and Mason Pierre-Antoine. Zac Zawilinski ran for 71 yards and a TD on 17 carries, while Jamal Johnson added 48 yards and two TDs on 11 carries. Connor Kubik also ran for a TD.
Lincoln-Way East outscored Bolingbrook, Homewood-Flossmoor and Lincoln-Way Central 114-14. Because of the pandemic, the spring season is just six weeks, eliminating the playoffs and a chance for the Griffins to defend their Class 8A state championship.
“Seriously, we practiced in the summer and we were waiting for the season to come,” Pierre-Antoine said. “We know we’re able to play at the state championship level.
“We were excited and then got shut down. Now, we’re back out here and playing well, but the COVID thing really does kill our vibe with that.”