HAYDEN FEVER
Timosciek throws 3 TD passes as Lockport reaches state quarterfinals for first time since 2003
Senior quarterback Hayden Timosciek heard a lot of talk about how Lockport’s Class 8A secondround playoff game against Glenbard West would likely be a defensive struggle.
He had other ideas.
“We came in here wanting to show how we’re not just a defensive team,” Timosciek said. “We probably have the best defensive team in the state. But I wanted to show everybody we’re more than that.
“We have the ‘85 Bears defense, but we also have the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs offense. It’s a track race out there with guys like Ethan (Gallagher), Danny (Martisek) and Ryan (Little).”
Timosciek made his point Saturday night, throwing three touchdown passes as the fourthseeded Porters rolled to a 34-0 win over 13th-seeded Glenbard West in Lockport.
“Hayden is the real deal,” Lockport coach George Czart said. “He’s a 6-foot-7 kid who’s got a passion for playing quarterback. He’s got a burning desire to succeed. He’s our leader.
“He’s got an arm. He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He works hard. He certainly can throw that ball, and he’s got great receivers to throw to. They’re protecting really well for him, too. He doesn’t take a beating back there.”
Lockport (10-1) will play in the quarterfinals at Glenbard North (8-3) — a 10-7 winner over Warren. It’s the first trip to the quarterfinals for the Porters since 2003, when they won the 8A state title.
Glenbard West (8-3) shut out the Porters for the first 1 ½ quarters before Lockport reeled off 21 points in the final 5 minutes, 54 seconds of the first half.
Ty Schultz ran for a 5-yard TD and Timosciek threw TD passes of 11 yards to Little and 14 yards to Gallagher.
Timosciek finished completing 10 of 18 passes for 198 yards.
The Porters are undefeated with Timosciek under center this season. He was limited to punting duties in the Oct. 15 loss to Lincoln-Way East because of an injury.
“I’m feeling 120%,” he said. “I really wanted to play in that Lincoln-Way East game, but now I’d say it was for the better. I’ve come back and thrived ever since.”
Gallagher came up huge on both sides of the ball late in the first half Saturday.
After catching the TD pass, he had a sack to thwart Glenbard West’s drive after the Hilltoppers had reached the Lockport 39-yard line.
“Those were deflaters,” Gallagher said. “We felt a lot of momentum. We knew they were a young team. We had to weather the storm early and then just outlast them.
“It’s a fun day to be a linebacker. We knew that coming in. They’re just trying to confuse you, motioning guys and giving different looks. But we’re ready to be in the trenches, our eight against your eight, and we like our chances there.”
Little caught five passes for 108 yards, including a 71-yard TD in the third quarter that extended Lockport’s lead to 27-0.
Schultz also ran for 88 yards and two TDs on 16 carries.
Glenbard West was held to 138 yards. The Hilltoppers had one long drive, late in the first quarter, reaching the Lockport 10 before fumbling. Troy Mutz recovered the ball for Lockport.
Paul Rasp and Andrew Blackburn-Forst each had a sack and two tackles for loss for the Porters. Martisek added an interception.
“As far as the defense goes, we have some of the best mindsets I’ve ever been a part of,” Rasp said. “I’ve played a lot of sports, from wrestling to soccer to football and basketball, and these guys don’t stop.
“It’s not a four-month sport. These guys are going year-round and getting better. That’s why we have our 230-pound guys taking out 300-pound guys like it’s nothing. It’s all technique.”