Lockport’s Chris Miller left the field Friday night unsure if his heroic performance would be enough to put his team in the playoffs. But one thing was certain — it was a dream come true. Literally.
Miller, a junior, usually plays linebacker and had not taken an offensive snap all season before moving to running back in practice this week as the Porters’ backfield was depleted by injuries.
All Miller did in his first game on offense was run for 290 yards and five touchdowns on 29 carries.
So, about that dream?
“I think I manifested this, right under my pillow,” Miller said. “This was really unbelievable. I’ll never forget it.”
Behind Miller, the visiting Porters rallied from a 19-point halftime deficit to keep their playoff hopes alive by stunning Homewood-Flossmoor for a 36-32 Southwest Valley Blue win in Flossmoor.
Brendan Mecher completed 5 of 14 passes for 88 yards, while Andre Labuda had a key interception and Anthony Polselli came up with a fumble recovery for Lockport (4-5, 2-2).
With a high total of opponents wins, the Porters knew with a win they would be right on the bubble to potentially make the playoffs as a four-win team.
RJ McDonald completed 19 of 31 passes for 264 yards and two TDs for H-F (4-5, 1-3), which almost certainly had its season ended with the loss. Myles Ellis finished with eight catches for 129 yards and a TD, while Arthur McKnight added eight catches for 109 yards and a TD and Michael Terrell Jr. ran for 68 yards and a TD on 18 carries.
Miller, meanwhile, played running back on the freshman team and sparingly as a sophomore but spent no time on offense this season before this week.
“I didn’t know any of the plays,” Miller said. “Not one play. I had to learn them all. There were eight plays I didn’t know (Friday). We were subbing me in and out in the first quarter because I didn’t know all the pass protections.
“But fortunately, we just kept running the ball down their throats in the second half.”
Indeed, they did. Four of Miller’s TD runs came in the second half, including a 4-yard TD that put the Porters ahead 36-32 with 1:26 to go.
Miller ran wild behind an offensive line of Keiland Vasvery, Kaden Makhlouf, Owen Wilczak, Michael Pew and Ethan Posey — much to the delight of Lockport coach George Czart.
“He’s a great athlete,” Czart said of Miller. “He’s strong. He’s fast. He’s coachable. He’s a smart football player and he’s determined, obviously. You saw him run. That’s determination.
“It was great blocking, too, but he was getting so many yards after getting hit.”
Labuda’s interception also proved to be a game-changer. It came along the sideline at the Lockport 21-yard line after H-F — looking to add to a 26-14 lead midway through the third quarter — had gotten down to the 1-yard line before being backed up by penalties.
“That was amazing,” Labuda said. “I still can’t believe it. I saw the quarterback looking, ran over there, toe-dragged. You could just tell there was a change in everything. Everyone got super excited.”
Labuda watched Miller, typically one of his partners at linebacker, take care of the rest.
“Oh my gosh, five touchdowns,” Labuda said. “That’s crazy. We knew he could do it. We didn’t know he’d go for five, but, wow, it’s what we needed.”
So, how did he do it?
Miller, who also competes in wrestling and baseball, is a fighter.
“It’s a little corny, but I say it’s a Mike Tyson mindset,” Miller said. “That’s what I bring out there. It’s like going out there in the ring, ready to fight. It’s just like how it is in wrestling.
“You have to step up and do it. I count to three and do it.”
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