Lee Legends ride big plays, tough defense to first win of independent season

Lee High School’s football team celebrating a win over Galesburg-Augusta, 18-12, at home Sept. 13. (Supplied)

By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org

Lee High School — after opening its non-conference season with two competitive losses when the offense scored but the defense struggled — defeated Galesburg-Augusta, 18-12, at home Friday as the Legends rode a big-play offense and a bend-but-not-break defense to the team’s first win while playing an independent schedule.

The visiting Rams actually out-gained the Legends in total yards, 258-230, and ran 81 offensive plays compared to Lee’s 39. But the Lee defense limited the Rams to just two scores and came up big in the fourth quarter.

“It was a huge test on the defensive side if you look at time of possession and number of snaps we played,” Lee defensive coordinator William Hollstein said to WKTV. “Over the first two games, we gave up big plays which put us in a tough spot. Going into Friday night, we really stressed limiting those big plays through a simplified scheme and getting pressure on passing downs.”

Lee High School freshman Elijah Beckwith had 97 yards and a touchdown in the win over Galesburg-Augusta on Sept. 13. (Supplied)

In the Legends’ win, freshman running back Elijah Beckwith scored on a 36-yard run and Ke’ontae Taylor caught a 45-yard scoring pass from Niko Mena in the first half. Beckwith totaled 97 yards on 12 carries to lead the Legends ground game.

After Galesburg-Augusta tied the score, 12-12, at the half, Taylor and Mena again hooked up, this time for a 47-yard pass in the third quarter, and the Lee defense made that score hold up for the win.

Senior Gumer Rodas was one of the stars on the Legends defense. (Supplied)

“During Galesburg’s final offensive possession, I was able to speak with the defense during a timeout,” Hollstein said. “It was all smiles in the huddle and I told the kids that this is why we play the games, for moments like this. They were fired up to play on 4th down and you could feel their confidence. As a team, our theme has been to ‘win the next down.’ As a coach, it’s rewarding when you see the kids come together and play for each other like that.”

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