Last year was a breakthrough season for LT football. Not only did they hand Glenbard West their first conference loss in six years, but they seized their first playoff win since 2012 by defeating a formidable Naperville North opponent on the road.

Their playoff run ended the next week, however, by way of an overtime loss to Palatine. This season, the teams looks to build on last year’s success and go further in the playoffs.

“Playoff experience is always great to have on a team,” quarterback Ben Bryant ’18 said. “I think we will have a much better outcome in the playoffs this year because we know how to handle the situations that we were in.”

Offensively, LT brings back an abundance of playmakers from last year’s team, including Bryant, Brandon Fischer ’18 and Nate Rusk ’18. Also, the team has an experienced and talented offensive line to throw and to run behind.

“We have all the tools we need to score points on any opponent,” Bryant said.

On defense, however, LT graduated numerous key players from last year’s squad and has needed younger players to fill the holes. After giving up 22 points in game one, the new look defensive unit bounced back with a dominant performance in week two, where they held Hinsdale South to only one touchdown.

“This defense has really started to click,” cornerback JJ Dutton ’19 said. “We did lose a ton of seniors on defense, but the newcomers have been so hungry for the opportunity to play. We’re all playing smart, fast, free and physical.”

Dutton, a quarterback who has switched over to play cornerback this season, is one of the players who has stepped in to replace LT’s defense from last season. He has found early success at his new position, as he returned an interception for a touchdown against Hinsdale South.

“Playing quarterback has helped me at cornerback because of the ways I can read the quarterback’s eyes and scan where he would go,” Dutton said.

LT currently stands at 4-0 on the season, including a 31-7 victory over Hinsdale South at home and commanding 33-8 road win over York. Next Friday, LT will look to make it back-to-back wins over Glenbard West as they host the Hilltoppers at 7:30 p.m. on the newly renovated Bennett Field turf.

In the long run, LT hopes to capture both the West Suburban Silver Conference and Class 8A state titles, head coach Kurt Weinburg said. Although this is a tall task to accomplish, the coaching staff and players all believe these goals are achievable.

“We have all the parts of a good group,” Weinburg said. “I hope we can fulfill our potential.”