The Patriots Varsity Football team secured a win against the Lake Forest High School Scouts on Friday with a final score of 35-21. The Patriots showcased a strong offensive performance, eventually becoming victorious earning a 5-1 record on the season.

Lake Forest set the tone with a 90 yard kick return for a touchdown and an extra point, bringing the score to 0-7. Regardless, the Patriots were determined to push back and even the score.

“That kickoff lit a fire in all of us, and we have to come back after this,” running back Christopher Thorndyke ’25 said. “I feel we as a team do better when we’re coming from behind because it gives us more grit and more determination.”

With plenty of time left in the first quarter, the Patriots were able to focus on coming back. With eight minutes left, quarterback Aidan Crawley ’26 took it to the end zone himself for a one yard rushing touchdown. By then, the Patriots had regained the momentum they needed, tying it up at 7-7.

With a strong answer to the Scouts’ opening touchdown, the Patriots looked to gain the lead. Nearing the end of the first quarter, Stevenson scored on a 14 yard rushing touchdown by Thorndyke, concluding the quarter 14-7 with the Patriots in the lead.

The second quarter was tougher for the Patriots. Ultimately, Lake Forest’s defense backed by two offensive touchdowns was too difficult to break through and the Patriots were not able to score by the end of the first half. Going into halftime, the patriots trailed 21-14.

To start the third quarter, the Patriots offense erupted. Crawley found wide receiver Thomas Simmons ’25 down the field for a 45-yard passing touchdown. 

“We had to really earn it and everybody knew that,” Simmons ’25 said. “Coming out of halftime, we knew what we had to do.”

The Patriots continued to score as the third quarter continued, scoring a one yard rushing touchdown by Thorndyke. Later, with 1:35 left in the third quarter, Crawley completed a 51 yard passing touchdown to wide receiver Zach Hersh ‘25, bringing the score to 35-21.

“I saw it open up, and as soon as I caught the ball, there was no one in front of me,” Hersh said. “I knew I was getting out of there.”

By the fourth quarter, the Patriots knew that they could bring home a victory. Still, they continued to lock down on defense, stopping a crucial play inches away before the Scouts could grab a first down.

“Our mentality shift was going from ‘we got to fight for this’ to now ‘we got to seal it and continue to do things right,’” Thorndyke said. “We have to coast and finish it up.”

When the buzzer sounded, the Patriots were victorious 35-21. Even so, the season is not yet over and the Patriots look forward to a match against Warren Township High School on Thursday, as they search for their final two victories to clinch an IHSA 8A playoff bid.

“The win feels great,” Hersh said. “We have to keep the streak going when next week comes up.”