Football
Henning steps
into the spotlight
as Lincoln-Way East slips past Maine South
Lincoln-Way East sophomore AJ Henning is already getting big-time college looks.
He made some big-time plays Friday night for the Griffins in a 28-26 victory over defending Class 8A state champion Maine South.
Henning, a 5-foot-10 wide receiver, turned a short pass into a long TD romp. Then he made a highlight-reel catch in the back of the end zone.
He’s rapidly becoming a favorite target of East quarterback Brendan Morrissey.
“Yes sir, that’s definitely what I want,” Henning said.
According to East coach Rob Zvonar, among the offers to come Henning’s way are Illinois.
“He’s special,” Zvonar said of Henning. “Obviously, being a sophomore, we don’t want to put too much pressure on him, give him too much soon.
“He’s going to be a Division I football player, but we’re awfully glad that he’s going to be with us for the next three years.”
East grounded out on its first drive of the game behind running back Ryan Scianna. The 5-foot-11 senior rushed six times for 42 yards, the last 13 coming on a TD run with 7:41 left in the first quarter.
The Griffins led 7-6 early in the second quarter when Henning turned a potential long drive into a short one.
On first down from the East 8, Morrissey spotted Henning with a pass at the 25. Maine South’s defender on Henning fell to the ground, while Henning spun away and sprinted the rest of the way for a touchdown.
Henning’s next big play came late in the first half with the Griffins again clinging to a one-point lead.
On third down from
With time running out in the first half and trailing 21-13, Maine South was driving at the East 32 when Jaden Hachen made back-to-back sacks of quarterback John O’Sullivan.
East went up 28-13 on a 20-yard scramble by Morrissey with 8:44 remaining in the third quarter.
Maine South answered with a pair of touchdowns on O’Sullivan passes of 61 yards to Rory Hayes and 13 yards to Cam Stacy.
After the second TD, East linebacker Declan Carr broke up a 2-point conversion pass to keep the Griffins in front 28-26.
Later, Maine South was driving at its own 41 when a third-down pass was intercepted by linebacker John Christensen.
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