Under the bright lights and the roar of a fired-up student section, Lincoln-Way West delivered a 17-12 victory over rival Lincoln-Way Central on Friday night, giving Warrior fans plenty to celebrate.
Quarterback Grant Tustin was nearly unstoppable, completing all 12 of his passes for 91 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 90 yards and another score. His poise and playmaking kept the Warriors steady in a high-pressure rivalry game. Wideout Chase Markowicz made key catches, finding the end zone on a 29-yard grab, while Jahan Abubakar powered through Central’s defense with tough runs.
The highlight of the night came late when kicker Zach Hermanson drilled a booming 51-yard field goal, a school record, sending the West crowd into a frenzy and helping secure the win. On defense, West was relentless, with Jackson Mansker, Noah Wendt, and Nick Elstner among those making key stops to keep Central from completing its comeback.
As much as the action on the field impressed, the student section played a starring role — filling the stands with energy, chants, and support that never let up. Together, the team and their fans created a night that showed the heart of Warrior football.
