Lincoln-Way West senior kicker Zach Hermanson etched his name into school history Friday night, drilling a 52-yard field goal that sealed a 17-12 victory and broke the program’s distance record.
The kick came late in a tense rivalry matchup, giving the Warriors the cushion they needed to close out the game. Hermanson said the moment felt almost surreal.
“I just lined it up in my head and told myself I could do it,” Hermanson said. “It felt so close, and my coach believed in me. Once I zoned everything out, my mind just went blank and I went with it.”
The ball sailed through the uprights as the crowd erupted. Hermanson, who couldn’t see the kick’s trajectory behind the line, knew it was good only when the stadium erupted.
“It was an amazing feeling, something I’ll never forget,” he said.
For Hermanson, the record kick reflected both preparation and perspective. He credits his faith for keeping him calm under pressure.
“We are a very united team, a good group of kids. It’ll be hard to forget it. I want to mention how much Coach Lokanc means to me — he’s had a big impact on my time here.”
