Homecoming weekend started out with a bang as the Patriots defeated the Scouts 14-0. A tough battle between both teams came to a climax when Michael Maloney ’23 scored a forty-nine yard touchdown in the third quarter. (Photo credit: Elan Gurevich, @uan.photos)

Michael Maloney ’23 scored the sole touchdown as the Patriots defeated the Lake Forest Scouts to start homecoming weekend, moving to 3-3 in season. With the lone touchdown in the third quarter, two safeties in the first half, and score of 4-0 going into the second quarter, this game kept fans engaged from the first whistle to the last. Nonetheless, the Patriots pitched a shutout through all four quarters and took an important conference win 14-0.

Both teams started slow on offense to start the game. The Patriots suffered multiple turnovers as the team struggled to find a groove. On the first drive of the game, Stevenson marched down inside Lake Forest’s 10-yard line and could not convert on the fourth down and short. On the ensuing Lake Forest drive, the combined Stevenson pass rush of Colin Schultz ’23 and Ethan Agakhan ’24 wreaked havoc, sacking Lake Forest quarterback Robert Pasinato in the endzone for a safety. Schultz had three sacks in the game and the team forced nine three-and-outs. 

With less than three minutes left in the first quarter, Lake Forest found themselves on their heels again. The snap on a fourth down punt went over the head of Pasinato and a duo of Mackenzie Delevitt ’23 and Schultz made the tackle to force the second safety. 

Through the rest of the first half, both teams tried to get their run-game going but nothing showed success. Quarterback Matt Projansky ’23 contributed 50 yards rushing but the connection between Projansky and wide receiver Ben Snider ’23 was out-of-sync in the first half as it seemed like there was miscommunication about routes and timing. Maloney was fed the ball many times up the middle but no big plays were completed for the offense in the first half.

The second half, however, featured a more in-sync offense from the Patriots that was prevalent in weeks past. With five minutes to go in the third quarter, the Patriots went empty set and the route from Snider distracted two Lake Forest defensive-backs to allow Maloney a clean path to the endzone. Projansky put the ball right in Maloney’s hands and his speed did the rest. 

In a post game interview, Maloney commented on his one touchdown and over one hundred all-purpose yard performance. 

“It doesn’t matter to me how many touchdowns we score,” Maloney said. “If we get the win, we get the win.”

Following Maloney’s touchdown, both teams traded punts. Lake Forest struggled to get their offense moving in the second half. Towards the end of the fourth quarter, the Scouts put together their best drive of the game, inching closer to the endzone. Pasinato threw a twenty-five yard pass to Cross Tazzioli with cornerback Keegan Latulippe ’23 in coverage. However four plays later, Latullipe retaliated by intercepting Pasinato in the endzone and sealing the win for the Patriots.

This defensive game from both teams was not high scoring and mistakes were made from both the offense and defense. From overthrown passes to the six total penalties committed, there is necessary room for improvement. Nonetheless, a few plays can sway the momentum to a certain team and the Patriots hope to play at their best to get ready for IHSA playoffs on Oct. 28.

“We feel that we can win out and be a real dangerous team in the playoffs,” Maloney said.

Next up for the Patriots is an away game at Zion-Benton on Oct. 7. After that away game, the patriots end their season with two home games against Waukegan on Oct. 14 and Libertyville on Oct. 21. 

If you can’t make the last two home games, be sure to check out the Stevenson Patriot Athletics Youtube page for a live broadcast from the Sports Broadcasting Club and SHS TV.

Credit: Ansh Aggarwal