LENA, Ill. – When Saturday’s Illinois High School Association Class 1A semifinal started, Ridgeview-Lexington’s main goal was to keep Lena-Winslow from getting to DeKalb for a fourth try at a State Football title. They already had two under their belt as it was. But a nuisance defense and offensive wherewithal allowed the Panthers to outpace their guests from McLean County, 28-12.

Both sides seem to size up their opponent in a scoreless first quarter before either team crossed the goal line with the ball for a first score. Senior quarterback Luke Benson went into the end zone first for Lena-Winslow with 11:57 left in the second quarter completing a 11 play 64 yard drive. That was followed by Benson successfully completing a 2-point conversion play, putting the 6th seeded Panthers up, 8-0.

A Panthers punt return late in the quarter put Ridgeview at Lena-Winslow’s 25 yard line. Three plays later, senior Carter Coffman dashed into the end zone from one yard out for the touchdown, but the team’s 2-point conversion try was foiled by Lena-Winslow defenders, shortening their lead to 8-6 going into halftime.

Roby added to his team’s lead in the third quarter on a 1-yard scoring run followed by Benson connecting with senior wide receiver Brody Mahon to push the Panthers further in front, 16-6, with the game entering the fourth quarter. Benson added an additional touchdown from 7 yards out with 10:40 in the final quarter followed by a failed 2-point try, increasing Lena-Winslow’s lead to 22-6.

Sophomore Cal Thomas connected with senior wide receiver Ben Peacock and fans watched as the receiver scrambled to avoid tackles on his way to a 38-yard touchdown followed by a failed 2-point try. As a result, Lena-Winslow owned a 22-12 lead with 9:11 remaining in the game.

The Mustangs forced Lena-Winslow to punt but wound up ending the ensuing drive on a fumble near midfield. Lena-Winslow got a last score from Roby from 5 yards out followed by a failed 2-point conversion attempt resulting in the final score.

“There’s a reason they’ve won as many State championships as they have,” Mustangs head coach Hal Chiodo said. “They’re an extremely excellent football team. “They’re very strong and very difficult to run the ball on, and we had a hard time establishing any offense today. We’re thankful that we could throw the ball some. But it was tough. We got beat by a great football team, and I’m very, very, very proud of the way our guys fought today.”

During the game, Chiodo said, “We tried to capitalize against their blitzing but we just couldn’t get the job done. They got there too quick and we just weren’t getting the ball off quick enough. They played better than we did and they deserve to win.”

Of the kids on his team’s 41-man roster, Chiodo said, “If we had lost all our games, I would have said moving back here was worth it. I’m glad I got to work with them and get to know them, and get some life back in this football program.” Chiodo returned to central Illinois from Florida to take the head coaching job at Ridgeview-Lexington last summer.

Of the Mustangs, Lena-Winslow head coach Ric Arand said, “They are fundamentally sound. They do a lot of things well and they were all we could handle today. They are tough on offensive and defensive line and they play just line we do, playing smashmouth football.” He added.