Lane Tech Defence during their first game of the season at Soldier Field

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On a brisk Saturday afternoon the Indians played the Greyhounds from Hubbard for the Public League Championship. After a hard fought game the Indians were crowned as the 2008 champions with a 24-7 victory over Hubbard.

The Greyhounds won the toss and chose to defer. Chris Kyles returned the opening kick off to the Lane Tech 27 yard line as Hubbard clearly kicked away from Rashee Allen after his heroics from last Monday night. The Indian offense went right at the heart of the Hubbard defense on the first play as Marcel Gibson picked up a quick 9 yards. Thaddeus Scott then carried the ball for 7 consecutive plays to the Greyhound 10 yard line but Scott injured himself on his last carry. Scott did not play for the rest of the game forcing the Indians to try and win the game without their best offensive weapon. The Hubbard defense stiffened up as Carlos Domínguez then attempted a 25 yard field goal. Domínguez shanked the kick as Hubbard survived the opening salvo by the Indians.

The Greyhounds took over at their 20 yard line and they were stuffed on the first two running plays by the Indian defense. Aftre another run, the Greyhounds were faced with a 4th and 1 from their own 29 yard line. The Hubbard coach took the first major gamble of the game by going for the first down. This strategy paid off as the Greyhounds were able to convert on 4th and 1 which kept alive their only scoring drive of the game. Two runs and two passes put the ball at the Lane Tech 31 yard line as the 1st Quarter came to an end in a scoreless tie. Two plays into the 2nd Quarter the Greyhound running back ran in a 27 yard touchdown run to strike first blood in the game. The PAT was good as Hubbard took a 7-0 lead.

This time the Greyhounds kicked to Allen as Allen nearly broke the kick off for a big gain but the Indians had to settle for a start at the 25 yard line. After an initial run by Frederick Williams, the Indians went to the air as Luis Negrón was unable to connect forcing the Indians to punt the ball.

The Lane Tech defense responded by securing their first three and out against the Greyhounds as Hubbard was forced to punt.

The Indians took over at the Hubbard 35 yard line but Negrón was sacked on the very first play for a five yard loss. Williams picked up the five back on the next play but on 3rd and 10 Negrón was unable to convert through the air forcing the Indians to punt again.

Hubbard took over from their own 20 yard line and quickly picked up a first down but the Indian defense held and forced the Greyhounds to punt the ball.

Lane Tech took possession of the ball at their own 33 yard line. Williams then carried the ball on two consecutive plays placing the ball at the Indian 45 yard line. Negrón then went to the air and connected with Gibson as Gibson made two Greyhound defenders miss putting the ball at the Hubbard 28 yard line. Two plays later Negrón hit Louis Trinca-Passat for 11 yards. After an incompletion, Negrón connected with Eric Bartell for 9 more yards bringing the ball to the Greyhound 8 yard line. Williams then ran the ball to the 1 yard line as Negrón spiked the ball with 32 seconds left in the half. On the next play Gibson scored on a 1 yard run and this time Domínguez was perfect with the PAT as the Indians tied the game at 7-7 which is how the 1st half ended.

The 2nd half started out well for the Indians as the ball was kicked in the end zone for a touch back forcing the Greyhounds to start from their 20 yard line. The Hubbard quarterback had a problem with the center/quarterback exchange but the QB was able to recover the ball for no gain. Hubbard was then penalized on the next play and on third and 17 Gregory Walker sacked the Hubbard quarterback at the 3 yard line. The Hubbard punter then shanked the punt and the Indians took over with great field position.

Lane Tech started their first second half possession on the Greyhound 22 yard line. The Indians went to the ground as Williams carried the ball 5 straight times to the Hubbard 8 yard line. Gibson then gained 7 yards on the next play putting the ball at the 1 yard line. On 4th and goal the Indians went for the touchdown as Negrón burrowed in from the 1 yard line. Domínguez booted the PAT as the Indians led for the first time in the game 14-7 with 4:57 left in the 3rd Quarter.

The Indians were fired up as Kyles was able to tackle the Greyhound kick returner at the 8 yard line. On the next play Anthony Jantke recovered a Greyhound fumble as the Indians took over at the Hubbard 12 yard line. The Indians were unable to move the ball as Domínguez kicked a 24 yard field goal with 3:19 left in the third quarter to make the score 17-7.

The Greyhounds then beagn to self destruct as two penalties pushed Hubbard back to their own 6 yard line. After a run and a dropped pass, the Greyhounds were forced to punt from their 18 yard line. The snap was short as Kyles knocked the punter and the ball into the end zone with Andre Alvarez falling on the ball for a touchdown. Dominguez added the PAT as the Indians extended their lead to 24-7 with 57 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Lane Tech kick off team came out smoking again as Daniel Wasserman and Kyle Mitchell acted like they were surface to air missiles as they pinned the Greyhounds at the Hubbard 7 yard line. Mitchell continued his attack as he ended a terrific Indian 3rd quarter with a no gain on the very next play.

The Greyhounds did not give up as they drove to the Lane Tech 5 yard line but the Indians held on a goal line stand taking over on downs at the Hubbard 4 yard line.

The Indians picked up a first down as the offense ate up clock. After a punt by the Indians, Alvarez ended the Greyhound season with a sack as the Indians and their fans celebrated another City Championship. Head Coach Rich Rio and his staff have now been a part of 3 out of the last 4 Titles that Lane Tech has won in the past 31 years!

Some Statistics: Hubbard Rushing 29-116 yards 1 TD 1 Fumble, Hubbard Passing 6-10 85 yards no TDs no INTs.

Lane Rushing: Scott 7-47 yards, Gibson 3-17 yards 1 TD, Negrón 2-1 yard 1 TD, Williams 15-63 yards, and Alex Brown 2-5 yards.

Lane Passing: Negrón 3-10 47 yards no TDs no INTs 1 sack for -5 yards. Bartell 1 reception for 9 yards, Trinca-Passat 1 reception for 11 yards, and Gibson 1 reception for 27 yards.

Leading Tacklers: Walker 9 with 1 sack for 10 yards, Trinca_Passat 7, Mitchell 4, Brown 3, Bartell 3, Alvarez 3 with 1 blocked pass, 1 fumble recovery for a TD, and 1 sack for 10 yards. Jantke 1 fumble recovery.