1 • Wednesday, November 29, 2017 - Shopper’s Guide
Serving the communities in Stephenson County
Shopper’s Guide
VOL. 79 • NO. 48
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300430
YOUR FREE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2017
Panther pride present for championship win By Chris Johnson REPORTER
The 2017 IHSA Class 1A State Football Champion is the Lena-Winslow Panthers. They held off a furious second half push-back by the Tuscola Warriors to capture the State of Illinois’ highest honor, 2120. The win helped Lena-Winslow secure the school’s third State Title this decade. Thousands of fans both at Huskie Stadium at Northern Illinois University and in the heart of Stephenson County showed off their Panther Pride throughout the run towards history and were actively-cheering when their team worked through the final seconds of the Friday morning, one-point State Final win. Tuscola struck first. It was something they were used to almost every night this season. It wasn’t something Lena-Winslow was used to at all. They were the best offense in the state and they featured a program that argued to be the strongest on the defensive side as well. The 7-0 lead gave the ball back to the Panthers with 4:16 in the first. Ty Chrisman hit Isaiah Bruce for a break-away 72-yard score. The extra point tied the match at seven with a minute to go in the first. The quarter ended with the two teams locked. The second quarter got moving thanks to Rahveon Valentine with 1:11 elapsed. He busted through traffic and bounced off intended-defenders on his way to a 76 yard score. The extra point gave the Panthers the 14-7 edge. Lena-Winslow wasn’t finished scoring in the second. They were the benefactor of another Valentine power drive. The running back rumbled his way to a 22-yard score, his second of the period. The extra-point sailed through as the lead grew to two touchdowns, 21-7. The halftime break reflected the same. As the third quarter began, things would change for the Panthers defense. Tuscola put together a response with less than three minutes game time elapsed in the third quarter. The pass from quarterback Luke Sluder to Dalton Hoel made it a 21-14, after
COURTESY PHOTO Shopper’s Guide
Lena-Winslow players Noah Milder (#8), Rahveon Valentine (#43), Parker Magee (#1) and Ty Chrisman (#15) hoist the state championship trophy over their heads after topping the Tuscola Warriors 21-20 for the Illinois High School Association Class 1A State Championship at Huskie Stadium on the campus of Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on November 24th. Both teams entered the state championship game with 13-0 marks.
the extra-point was driven home. A Panthers misplay later in the period gave the ball back to Tuscola. The Warriors took advantage of it and found an open lane as Cale Sementi collected a Sluder offering. The lead was cut to one-point, 21-20. The Warriors went for the lead and could not break through. Hoel was knocked down, short of his goal. The Panthers defense held. The lead remained 2120 as the third closed. Both teams were forced to punt
as the fourth quarter’s drives progressed. After the seventh exchange of “drive-and-kick”, Lena-Winslow got it back and hoped to run time. It didn’t happen, the ball came loose and Tuscola recovered the fumble
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with 2:23 to go in the game. The Warriors took advantage of the chance. With the ball starting at their own 29, Sluder ran and found paths to propel the team into Panthers’ territory. A time out call fol-
Santa & Mrs. Claus for
lowing a sack by Panthers’ defender Gaige Schwartz introduced a 4-14. After the two teams set, the Panthers called a time-out.
See WIN, Page 11
Breakfast with Santa
Where: Lena Fire Station, 405 W. Railroad St. When: December 9th from 8 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Cost: 3 and under FREE, 4-8 yrs $3.00; 9-adult $6.00
ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST! orget Don’tCFamera your
Games • Prizes • Fun for All! Can’t make it in time for breakfast??? Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a picture from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Station. 300420
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