Breaking It Down: The game might have started with a 96-yard touchdown return of the opening kickoff by Lockport's Dexter Taylor, but it took extra time to settle the matchup between Sandburg and Lockport Friday night. It was senior night for the Porters, and the Eagles were hoping to spoil the celebration. And they came extremely close, but fell short in overtime 27-24.

After that opening kick return, Sandburg held Lockport in check for much of the first half. In fact, Sandburg's Anthony Adams connected with Lemonte Booker for a 22-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter to tie things up. Lockport quarterback Billy Reed a added a 3-yard touchdown run late in the second half, capitalizing on a Sandburg turnover. The Eagles trailed at the half 14-7 despite posting 150 yards of offense compared to just 20 for Lockport.

The game remained 14-7 until the offensive flood gates opened. In the fourth quarter, Booker found the end zone twice on the ground, both times from 2 yards out, with the second TD putting the Eagles on top 21-14 with 2:47 left. It seemed like the Eagles had the game in hand, but the Porters had other ideas.

A 50-yard return by Taylor set up the Porters with excellent field position and just over a minute left. It was then Reed that connected with Jeff Patterson for 41 yards. And the pass set up a 22-yard TD strike from Reed to Patterson on the next play with 46.4 seconds left to make it 21-21.

Sandburg took over and charged all the way to the Lockport 35 with 4.2 seconds left. Ted Vergados' 52-yard field goal attempt was blocked, forcing the overtime.

The Porters shut down the Eagle offense, forcing a 21-yard Vergados field goal. Then, Lockport gave the ball to Taylor. He scored from 5 yards out to give the Porters the 27-24 win.

Patch MVP: Lockport's Dexter Taylor had a 96-yard kick return for a touchdown, a 50-yard kick return to set up the late game-tying drive, and he carried the ball 10 times for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Lockport Stat Pack: Billy Reed completed 4-of-10 passes for 90 yards. He accounted for two touchdowns (1 run, 1 pass). Jeff Patterson finished with three catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.

Sandburg Stat Pack: Anthony Adams completed 9-of-18 passes for 123 yards and one touchdown, Lemonte Booker finished with 122 yards rushing on 16 carries. He also had two catches for 37 yards. And he scored three touchdowns (2 on the ground, 1 in the air). Trevor Dapkus had 99 yards on eight carries.

Quotable: Sandburg coach Dave Wierzal on what needs to be done: "Penalties and turnovers killed us. There will be several plays we're going to look at on film to fix for next week. Lockport played well, though. I don't want to take that away from them."

Team Records: Lockport is 6-2 and 4-2 in the Southwest Suburban Blue. Sandburg falls to 5-3 and 3-3. 

What's Next: Lockport visits Bolingbrook, and Sandburg plays hosts to Homewood-Flossmoor. Both games are on Friday, Oct. 21.

Scores of Interest: Lincoln-Way East 42, Joliet Central 0; Homewood-Flossmoor 56, Joliet West 19; Bolingbrook 45, Lincoln-Way Central 0. For more scores, visit IHSA ScoreZone.