Sullivan football opens with conference win, SHG holds on against Lincoln-Way Central

(WAND) - The first week of high school football season wasn't limited to just a full Friday slate, but added a Saturday showcase of programs across central Illinois.

Sullivan met Lincoln Prairie foe Argenta-Oreana at home and cruised to a 55-14 win. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart-Griffin met in a neutral setting with Lincoln-Way Central from New Lenox, Illinois, and held off a second half surge to escape with a 27-23 victory.

Sullivan opened the game with a 13-point cushion thanks to back-to-back touchdown runs by senior Aiden Dinger. The offense only continued to surge with a 49-yard score to open the second quarter, as quarterback Tegan McRill linked up with Collin Shain. Brynner Johnson and Colt Wilson both logged interceptions for Big Red.

At Illinois Wesleyan, SHG and Lincoln-Way Central were locked in a defensive battle for nearly the entire first half. A screen pass from quarterback Cam Brinkman to receiver Mikey Groesch went for 58-yards to the end zone with around 2-minutes left in the second quarter. Moments later, a double pass from Brinkman, to Groesch, to Andrew Wolters helped lift SHG to a 13-3 lead at the break. While the Cyclones held a 20-3 lead entering the final quarter, the Knights gradually chipped away. Despite the late effort, Sacred Heart-Griffin were able to hang on for the narrow victory.