Kuhlman Sparks Lyons' Comeback Win Over Wheaton South
Source: The Shaw Local News Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
For a half, Lyons Township looked completely out of sync. The Lions managed only 34 yards of offense against Wheaton Warrenville South on Friday, trailing 9-0 at the break. But the game turned on the second snap of the third quarter, when senior running back EJ Kuhlman burst through the line for a 38-yard gain. That run signaled a dramatic shift in momentum.
“I feel like we were confident in our team. The first half didn’t go how we wanted but we never lost our effort,” Kuhlman said. “Especially popping a play right after halftime, that was such a good switch for momentum. To have momentum is definitely why we won that game.”
The Lions completed a stunning reversal, winning 18-9. Kuhlman rushed 18 times for 104 yards—99 of those in the second half—and scored a 4-yard touchdown run along with a two-point conversion reception. Defensive starter Ben Sosne, who also handled short-yardage snaps in the season opener, stepped in at quarterback for an 18-yard touchdown run. Junior kicker Wolfie Ketterling added a 35-yard field goal to seal the win.
Lyons’ defense clamped down after halftime, allowing just 78 yards in the second half. The unit came up with key stops, including a three-and-out following a squib kick that set up Ketterling’s field goal. Junior linebacker Colman O’Sullivan recorded three tackles for loss, Charlie Harrington notched a sack, and Sosne recovered a fumble.
“Just the trust we have in this team (helped us). We trusted the guys next to us were going to do their 1/11,” O’Sullivan said. “We love our defense. To come out and show that we shut them down, it just feels great and we’re going to carry us into the next weeks.”
Lyons head coach Jon Beutjer, who was an all-state senior quarterback for Wheaton Warrenville South’s 1998 undefeated Class 6A state championship team, said the victory was especially meaningful. “I grew up on this field. I have a special place in my heart for this place because I was blessed to be part of such a great program,” Beutjer said. “I’m proud of our guys. It’s hard to beat a team four years in a row and this is a really good football team. I’m proud of our defense, too, for shutting them down in the second half.”
Wheaton South junior quarterback AJ Rogers continued his impressive start to the season, completing 20 of 32 passes for 227 yards. He threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Blake Ittersagan with just four seconds left in the first half. Both Jacob Bellows and Ittersagan had six catches for 66 yards, while Kennan Yarbrough added four for 53 yards. The Tigers had touchdowns called back by penalties, which stunted their momentum.
“It’s putting together two halves (for us). We need to learn how to come out of halftime,” Wheaton South coach Sean Norris said. “Our defense played really well in the first half. We need to learn to keep up our physicality. We have great kids and it’s just a chance to watch the film and be like how do we stack those two halves together and execute in big situations, which I believe they will.”
After Kuhlman’s early third-quarter run, Sosne scored on a fourth-and-1 run four plays later. The Tigers’ Ben Menzer and Sean Lyle later stopped Sosne on fourth-and-2 at the Tigers’ 46, but the Lions regained possession and mounted a 51-yard drive in seven plays. Kuhlman’s touchdown run and two-point conversion put Lyons ahead 15-9 with 7:12 left. The key play came on third-and-17 from the 42, when starting quarterback Brendan McCabe eluded a sack and completed a 24-yard pass to Miami (Ohio) recruit Owen Matela. McCabe later connected with Tyler Stamm for 14 yards to reach the 4.
“(McCabe is) very elusive,” Beutjer said. “Brendan did a really good job moving around in the pocket (in the second half), extending plays. He made some plays with his feet, and we got EJ going, too.”
Lyons, ranked No. 6 in Class 8A in this week’s Illinois media poll, improved to 2-0. The Tigers, ranked No. 8 in 7A, fell to 1-1. The Lions have now won the annual Week 2 meeting between the two teams four years in a row, both of whom were second-round playoff teams in 2025.
Article commentary
Lyons Township’s 18-9 comeback victory over Wheaton Warrenville South was a tale of two halves, but more importantly, it showcased the resilience and adjustments that define championship-caliber teams. The Lions managed only 34 offensive yards in the first half, a statistic that would typically spell doom against a quality opponent. Yet the halftime adjustments were immediate and effective: a 38-yard run by EJ Kuhlman on the second play of the third quarter flipped the game’s momentum entirely. What stood out was the Lions’ ability to execute in critical moments. Kuhlman, who rushed for 99 of his 104 yards after halftime, is the engine of this offense. But the supporting cast—defensive starter Ben Sosne stepping in at quarterback for an 18-yard touchdown run, junior kicker Wolfie Ketterling hitting a 35-yard field goal, and quarterback Brendan McCabe extending plays under pressure—demonstrated depth that will be vital as the season progresses. The offensive line’s improvement in the second half cannot be overstated; they opened holes that simply weren’t there before the break. Defensively, Lyons’ second-half performance was dominant. Holding Wheaton South to just 78 yards after halftime, with three tackles for loss from linebacker Colman O’Sullivan and a sack from Charlie Harrington, showed the unit’s ability to adjust to the Tigers’ passing attack. Junior quarterback AJ Rogers had a strong first half, completing 20 of 32 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown, but the Lions’ defensive line increased pressure and tightened coverage in the second half, forcing three-and-outs when they needed them most. For Wheaton South, the loss is a bitter lesson in consistency. Coach Sean Norris acknowledged the need to learn how to come out of halftime with the same intensity shown in the first half. The Tigers’ defense played well early, but penalties and an inability to sustain drives in the second half proved costly. Rogers has the arm and poise to lead this team, but the Tigers must find a way to finish games. They have a talented junior class, but experience in close games like this will be crucial for their development. From a coaching perspective, Lyons head coach Jon Beutjer’s connection to Wheaton South adds an emotional layer, but he kept his team focused on execution. His ability to motivate the Lions after a dismal first half reflects strong leadership. The rivalry between these two programs, meeting annually in Week 2, now stands at 4-0 in favor of Lyons since the series began. That streak speaks to the consistency of the Lions’ program. Looking ahead, Lyons appears well-positioned for a deep playoff run in Class 8A. Their defense is stout, and the offense has playmakers who can turn a game around in a single play. Wheaton South, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. The Tigers have the talent to compete with anyone, but they need to play a complete four quarters. This game will serve as a measuring stick for both teams as the season unfolds. If Lyons can build on this second-half performance, they could be a formidable force in the postseason. For Wheaton South, the question is whether they can learn from this setback and grow into the team their potential suggests.