Ormiston, Lena-Winslow smash record books en route to 1A title win over Central

DeKALB – Sean Ormiston didn't just become a record holder. He became a champion.

The Lena-Winslow senior running back set the Class 1A record for touchdowns in a state title game with six, as he led the way for the Panthers to win 58-20 against Central A&M in the Class 1A title game on Friday.

It was a record-setting way to start the state championships at Huskie Stadium. The Panthers set the 1A title game scoring record with 58 points. Ormiston became the NUIC's leading rusher on a 35-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Vernon Hills' Kyle Hull has the all-time record for touchdowns in a state title game with seven, set in 2016 against Peoria.

"It's more about the other running backs and the line that blocks for me," Ormiston said. "Also my quarterback. We all do it."

Ormiston's second-quarter score pushed the lead for the Panthers (14-0) to 20-6 and answered a score by the Raiders (13-1) on the drive before, clipping any hope of a comeback. Ormiston finished with 187 rushing yards and made an impression on Central A&M coach Brent Weakly.

"What did he break the state record for rushing touchdowns in a championship game?" Weakly said. "A pick six as well. Yeah, he's pretty good. All-time leading rusher in that conference's history, I think he's under-recruited and under-valued in my opinion."

Lena-Winslow showed its big play capability throughout the game. The Panthers started the scoring with a 66-yard bomb Luke Benson to Kade Chrisman. No defender was within at least 20 yards on the deep bomb and he went easily into the end zone, followed by a Lena-Winslow two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

Benson said it's easy to throw when everyone thinks a pass is coming. And Chrisman was the recipient of that, all alone down field.

"When I came off the line of scrimmage I just ran straight," Chrisman said. "I saw the ball in the air, caught it, then saw the big screen, saw how far ahead I was and just ran."

After a stop, the Panthers scored again on a quick drive capped by a 23-yard run by Ormiston and a 14-0 lead.

"I never expected it," Ormiston said. "I just never give up I'm just proud to be able to do this for my community, my team and my brothers."

At the end of the first the offense of the Raiders had been struggling, with less than 30 yards of total offense. But on fourth-and-long, Connor Heaton found James Paradee for 41 yards down to the Lena-Winslow 1. Two plays later Heaton found Jacob Paradee for the score, cutting the lead to 14-6.

Down 14-0 on the drive before, Central A&M seemed poised to get back in the game sooner when Jacob Paradee returned a kick about 86 yards four a touchdown. But at about the Lena-Winslow 37, the Raiders were called for a block in the back about 10 yards behind where Paradee was with the ball.

After the Raiders got to within a score, the Panthers answered with another big play, this one the record breaker by Ormiston for a 20-6 lead.

"I can put my two cents in, but we're not sitting here without these guys sitting next to me," Panthers coach Ric Arand said. "For these seniors it's their second time and for these two (Ormiston and Isaiah Bruce) it's their second time being major contributors."

The Panthers got on the board to end the half behind a pair of big runs from Heaton, and carried that momentum into the second half.

Heaton hit Jacob Paradee with 7:33 left for a late score for the Raiders, bringing it to 58-20.

"They're a really good team and they gave us problems all day," Heaton said. "We just couldn't get clicking. Hats off to them, they played really good."

Heaton finished with 192 passing yards on 17 of 33 passing. Jacob Paradee caught 11 passes, tying the 1A title game record set in 2006 by Tuscola's Darin Blaser. His 157 receiving yards also set the 1A title game record, besting Lexington's 149 on eight receptions in 2001. Paradee also had a game-high 14 tackles and averaged more than 20 yards per kickoff return, including a 54-yarder and not including the one that got called back.

Benson threw for 100 yards and two scores, all to Chrisman.