Griffins Advance to the 8A State Title Game; Tischer's 99 Yard Run Puts the Final Nail in the Coffin

Two familiar playoff foes met on a cold snowy afternoon in Frankfort. Lincoln-Way East and Glenbard West had met three times previously including a 10-8 Glenbard West victory in the 2012 Class 7A State Championship. The last meeting saw the Griffins win 45-0 in the 2nd round in 2018.

The game was scoreless after one quarter with the snow bearing down throughout (see photo above). Hilltoppers quarterback Korey Tai (14/25, 137 yards, TD, 2 Int, 11 carries, 37 yards) broke the ice in the second quarter with a 4 yard pass to Filip Maciorowski (8 receptions, 92 yards, TD) moments after a Braden Tischer interception.

The Griffins answered on their next drive. Peter Olaleye's 26 yard reception helped set up James Kwiecinski's 3 yard run to tie the game. Kwiecinski (17 carries, 46 yards, TD, rec, 9 yards) had to earn every single yard Saturday afternoon.

Carter Nair's 43 yard field goal, which was set up after the Hilltoppers muffed a kickoff, put the Griffins ahead just before halftime, and they didn't look back.

Tischer connected twice with his favorite target, Jimmy Curtin in the second half. Curtin caught 4 passes for 98 yards, and his two touchdown receptions went for 19 and 57 yards.

The icing on the cake came after the Griffins defense stopped the Hilltoppers on 4th and goal at the 1. Tischer went under center and ran a quarterback sneak. It initially looked like a typical short-yardage gain, but Tischer kept his feet trucking and managed to run it 99 yards for a touchdown.

It most definitely is a candidate for play of the year.

Tischer finished 10/15 for 167 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. With that 99 yard run, he had 6 carries for 113 yards.

The Hilltoppers finish their season at 11-2, and the Griffins play Loyola next Saturday at 7.