Little continues to come up big for Lockport
Senior receiver makes juggling catch to punch Porters’ ticket to state
Senior receiver Ryan Little made a juggling catch for Lockport in the corner of the end zone late in the game at Loyola, reaching over a defender to tip Hayden Timosciek’s pass into the air and then reaching back to haul it in as he crashed to the ground.
The spectacular touchdown reception wowed the crowd Saturday and effectively sealed the Porters’ spot in the Class 8A state championship game, giving them a 14-point lead with under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
It was nothing new for Lockport coach George Czart, who has become accustomed to seeing Little make plays like that.
“He’s made catches all year long where’s sprawling out, diving, tipping balls to himself,” Czart said. “That was another one of those.
“He’s big. He’s got great range. He runs great routes. He has great hands and great hand-eye coordination. He’s a good blocker too. When he’s got you on his radar for a block and he hits you, you’re going to feel it.”
Little finished with four catches for 76 yards and two TDs in the 35-21 semifinal victory over previously unbeaten Loyola.
That win sent Lockport (12-1) into the 8A championship game against Maine South (12-1) set for 7 p.m. Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.
“It’s exciting to make a play like that against a team like that,” Little said. “To put up yards and touchdowns against good teams all playoffs means a lot to me.
“We definitely knew we were going to put up some points. We knew they were going to try to stop
the run, and when you come up to stop the run, we’ve got the best receivers in the state. We’re going to hurt you in the passing game.”
The 6-foot-4 Little, a big target, has 48 catches for 825 yards and 14 TDs this season.
Little grew up playing with the
Lockport Junior Porters while dreaming about winning in high school.
“I used to come to these games on youth football nights, watching the players and looking up to them,” he said. “Now I’m one of them — and now people are looking up to me. It’s a great feeling.”
The Porters are playing in a state championship game for the first time since 2003, but Little said they all saw it coming.
“We knew this was going to happen,” he said. “At the beginning of the summer, we dreamed about it. It’s something every kid dreams about and now we’re here doing it. We’re practicing Thanksgiving week and looking forward to Saturday.”
Mighty Mustangs: Heading into Saturday’s Class 7A state championship game against Wheaton North (12-1), St. Rita (11-2) has won each of its four playoff games by at least 20 points.
According to junior defensive back Johnny Schmitt, everything has been clicking for the Mustangs, who have won 10 in a row.
“We go hard every week in practice,” Schmitt said. “Our goal is to dominate every game. We’ve been doing it consistently, week in and week out. Good results happen out of that and now we’re going to the state championship.”
Schmitt, who has seven interceptions, and the rest of the St. Rita defense figures to be tested by Wheaton North and all-state quarterback Mark Forcucci, who has thrown for 1,847 yards and 22 TDs.
Quest for 15: Joliet Catholic’s Jake Jaworski is set to coach his alma mater in a state championship game for the second time at 7 p.m. Friday when the Hilltoppers take on Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin in the 4A final.
Jaworski led the Hilltoppers to the 2018 5A title, the program’s 14th state championship.
“The tradition runs deep,” Jaworski said. “We’re very proud of it.”