Illinois Valley Times

The LaSalle-Peru High School (LPHS) football team has already proven itself as good as last year's squad by winning three games -- and the season has just begun.

In their first game, the Cavaliers jumped out to a 7-0 lead against Rich East High School (REHS) at the end of the first quarter thanks to a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Jeremiah Johnson. REHS struck back in the second quarter on a rushing touchdown by Tyrone Pitts and completed a 2-point conversion to take an 8-7 lead. But Johnson struck again with another rushing touchdown to give the Cavs a 14-8 lead going into the half. 

REHS tied the game in the third, when Clifton Johnson recovered a fumble and ran it back 30 yards for a touchdown. The Rockets again attempted a 2-point conversion but failed, leaving the score tied at 14-14. After a scoreless fourth quarter, the game headed to overtime, and Rich East scored on another rushing touchdown. The Rockets again failed on a 2-point conversion attempt.

The Cavs came back to punch the ball into the end zone with a 10-yard run to tie the game at 20, then completed a point-after attempt to claim the win.

In their next game, the Cavs cruised to a 35-12 win against Limestone Community High School, then followed the victory by beating East Moline United High School by the same score. 

As of press time, LPHS is tied for first place in the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference with the Sterling Golden Warriors.  The Cavaliers will finish out September with games against Sterling and Sycamore High School, two of the top teams in the conference. In October, LPHS will face off against Geneseo High School and Rochelle High School and play its final game of the regular season on Oct. 20 against Yorkville High School.

For more information about the LPHS football season or to view the team's full schedule visit www.lphsathletics.net.