DEKALB, Ill. - The Le-Win football team won the IHSA Class 1A state football title Friday morning, 21-20 over Tuscola.
The Panthers (15-0) led 21-7 at halftime but had to toughen up their defense down the stretch. A Tuscola (14-1) score near the end of the third quarter made it 21-20, but on the point after try a high snap forced the Warriors' kicker to attempt to run in a 2-point conversion, a play that ultimately failed.
The teams traded possessions down the stretch, including a timely interception by the Le-Win defense late in the fourth quarter. With about 2 minutes to play in the game, Gaige Schwartz picked off a pass for the Panthers deep in Tuscola territory. Moments later, Le-Win fumbled the ball back to Tuscola. The Warriors then sustained a drive into Le-Win territory, but the Panthers forced a turnover on downs with just 10 seconds left with the ball at their own 31.
The gold ball is Le-Win's second title in the last five years. The two Panthers titles have helped give the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference 11 state championships in the last 13 seasons.
The Panthers (15-0) led 21-7 at halftime but had to toughen up their defense down the stretch. A Tuscola (14-1) score near the end of the third quarter made it 21-20, but on the point after try a high snap forced the Warriors' kicker to attempt to run in a 2-point conversion, a play that ultimately failed.
The teams traded possessions down the stretch, including a timely interception by the Le-Win defense late in the fourth quarter. With about 2 minutes to play in the game, Gaige Schwartz picked off a pass for the Panthers deep in Tuscola territory. Moments later, Le-Win fumbled the ball back to Tuscola. The Warriors then sustained a drive into Le-Win territory, but the Panthers forced a turnover on downs with just 10 seconds left with the ball at their own 31.
The gold ball is Le-Win's second title in the last five years. The two Panthers titles have helped give the Northwest Upstate Illini Conference 11 state championships in the last 13 seasons.
