Benet Academy football made the trip west to face 1A powerhouse Lena-Winslow, with the Redwings emerging victorious in the debut of new head coach James White.
It’s a heavyweight tilt as the former 1A state champion, Lena-Winslow High School, hosts Benet Academy and the program’s new head coach, James White, to kick off the football season. This highlight is sponsored by BMO.
The Panthers start aggressively
About 2 minutes into the first quarter, Alex Mitchell hands the ball off to Hawke Lawler. Lawler runs from the 40-yard line and into the end zone for a touchdown.
Lena-Winslow has the ball in hand; Brody Cox holds onto the ball and throws a long pass to Cooper Knoup, and gets tackled on the 34 for a Panthers first down.
Following a long drive, Ian Geiseman squeezes his way into the end zone for a touchdown.
Panthers have a chance for a 2-point conversion; Geiseman once more goes to the end zone and gets the two-point conversion, making the score 8-7 Panthers.
With a minute remaining in the first quarter, Mitchell throws to his teammate John Ericson at the 27-yard line and runs to the end zone for another Redwing score. They lead by 7 at the end of the first quarter.
Benet mounts a comeback
The 2nd quarter is underway, and the Panthers get off to a good start with Hudson Raders plowing into the end zone to tie the game at 14 apiece.
The Panthers attempt another 2-point conversion to break the tie, and Ian Geiseman does so, putting Lena Winslow up 16-14.
Alex Mitchell has the ball once more, but his attempt to pass gets picked off and recovered by Vanderl Knoll for a first down for the Panthers.
With seven minutes remaining in the half, Merrik Mahon rushes in for a quick six points to extend the team’s lead to 22-14. However, their attempt at the two-point conversion failed.
With a kick return in sight, Benet’s Luca Diomede goes for the catch and runs all the way down for a kick return touchdown. It’s a close one at halftime, 22-20.
The Redwings soar in week one
The third quarter starts with Geiseman running to the end zone for another touchdown.
Benet’s Alex Mitchell finds Giovanni Sanderlin for the completion and another touchdown.
The Redwings have a chance of a two-point conversion; Mitchell finds Tyler Lakis near the end zone and makes the catch for two points.
Tied at 28 in the 4th, it’s Panther ball. However, a fumble reverses possession with Benet’s Mason Elliot recovering.
Benet Academy comes home with a 34-28 win over Lena-Winslow in James White’s first win at the high school level as a head coach.
For more prep sports highlights and community sports, visit the Naperville Sports Weekly page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram!
