Lincoln-Way East celebrates the return of Jack Murphy. The junior receiver, known for his speed, overcame a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for a while. He gradually returned to playing for the Griffins.
I was out longer because they wanted to ensure I could finish the season, including the playoffs,Murphy explained.
In his third game back, Murphy excelled. He caught eight passes totaling 186 yards and scored two touchdowns in the first half. His performance helped Lincoln-Way East secure a 42-0 victory over Lincoln-Way Central in the SouthWest Suburban Conference.
The game marked the first football encounter between these district rivals since spring 2021. Evan LeFevour contributed by throwing for 240 yards, and backup Tyler Spychalski found Luke Ingram for a 61-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the Griffins, who are now 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the conference. Aidan Cavanaugh added 51 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Defensively, Ontario Pryor made an interception, while Jacob Onik and Cameren Stewart each registered important sacks. They synchronized well with Murphy, who caught touchdowns of 66 and 44 yards, showcasing his ability to turn short passes into long gains.
“He’s great,” LeFevour said of Murphy. “He’s very good at getting yards after the catch. We see it in practice, and it’s better now that he’s back on the field.”
Mason Halliman, a senior offensive lineman, added, “He’s the best in the state.”
Lincoln-Way Central’s Gavin Ciesiun threw for 103 yards. Justin Langford recovered a muffed punt, Nicholas Paczesny added a fumble recovery, and Alex Harper made an interception.
Before Friday’s game, Murphy had only four receptions for 51 yards, with his longest being 25 yards. The Griffins already boast a fast receiver in Jayden Cawthon. At 5-foot-8 and 175 pounds, Murphy adds dynamic speed to the offense.
“He’s one of the faster kids in the state and qualified for state track sprints,” Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar commented on Murphy. “His return from the hamstring injury shows his capability. Having Jack reduces the focus on Jayden alone. Instead of one, they worry about two threats.”
Murphy’s sprinting expertise developed at an early age. He explained,
My dad put me in speed training in sixth grade and I’ve continued it ever since. It’s played a big role in my life.
He credited the offensive line for its support, stating, “I like to see the big boys get downfield and make blocks. Shoutout to them.”
Lincoln-Way East’s Ontario Pryor intercepted a pass against Lincoln-Way Central during the game.
The Griffins began the season with narrow nonconference wins against Brother Rice and Kankakee. Since then, they have dominated their next five conference opponents, outscoring them 122-31. The team is now aiming for its first Class 8A title since 2019.
Murphy recalls watching Lincoln-Way East win that state championship. “I used to watch AJ Henning, who played at Michigan and Northwestern and is now with the Miami Dolphins,” he shared. “That state championship sparked my interest in football. My father taught me the basics.”
Fully engaged in the sport now, Murphy declared, “It’s just my life. It’s everything I know. It’s a great way to keep your mind at peace. Although aggressive, it keeps me calm and balanced.”
Leave a Reply