Edmon's Three Touchdowns Lead Bradley-Bourbonnais Past Unbeaten Lincoln-Way West

Bradley-Bourbonnais receiver Lyzale Edmon scored three touchdowns as the Boilermakers upset undefeated, No. 20 Lincoln-Way West 35-13 on Friday in New Lenox.

One of the scores came on a play that Edmon, a senior and Pitt State recruit, nearly gave away. After breaking one tackle in the middle of the field, he spun out of a second, then outran two more defenders and got to the 2-yard line. He thought the job was finished, but a fifth defender caught him from behind. "I didn't see the other guy coming," Edmon said. Instinct took over, and he stretched the ball across the goal line. "I'm so glad I got in there and didn't fumble."

Edmon finished with four catches for 167 yards. His second touchdown began as a short catch and turned into an 89-yard run down the sideline after a strong block from a teammate. His third was a diving grab in the end zone that put Bradley-Bourbonnais ahead 28-10 in the third quarter.

Boilermakers coach Mike Kohl praised the receiver. "He's been doing that all year," Kohl said. "He's a really explosive kid and one of the best players we've had come through here. And he's a great human. It's fun to see good kids have success."

Edmon's younger brother, Kyren, added 11 carries for 104 yards and a 42-yard touchdown. Lyzale Edmon said he has valued playing alongside his brother for the past two seasons. "I'm sad that this is the last year," he said.

Senior quarterback Ellis Johnson, a first-year starter, was 11 of 19 for 219 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Kohl noted the growth of a player who spent last season watching and learning. "He's had a phenomenal year and I'm so proud of him," the coach said. Johnson said he has felt prepared and poised all year, and that having targets like Lyzale Edmon and Rontez Smith makes the job easier.

Lincoln-Way West began the game strongly. Quarterback Grant Tustin ripped off a 64-yard touchdown run on the second play. Bradley-Bourbonnais then scored the next three touchdowns. Tustin finished 9 of 18 for 103 yards, and South Dakota recruit Jahan Abubakar carried 18 times for 94 yards.

"Bradley came out and had a great game plan and played excellent," Warriors coach Luke Lokanc said. "Credit to them."

Bradley-Bourbonnais improved to 7-1 overall and 4-1 in the Southwest Valley Red, and the win puts the Boilermakers in the conversation as a contender in Class 6A. They close the regular season at Andrew. Lincoln-Way West, also 7-1 and 4-1, finishes its regular season at Stagg. Johnson acknowledged the next game will be tough but said the team is in a groove and feels good about the playoffs.