It had been 25 years since the Lindbergh football team won a league title. After beating Evergreen 31-2 to complete a perfect league record, one thing was clear for the Eagles: It was worth the wait.

“It’s pretty incredible,” said Lindbergh coach Pat O’Grady. “It’s a great feeling. This league has so long been dominated by Kennedy year-in, year-out. To jump up there and steal one is pretty sweet.”

Lindbergh (8-1 overall, 8-0 Seamount) started the season slowly on offense as the Eagles searched for a way to replace long-time quarterback Jacob Allie. But other phases of the team were good enough for the squad to continue winning. Then, as the season reached a mid-point the offense clicked with a combination of freshman Matt Stuart and senior Derek Herley behind center. With Bakari Davis rushing, Diondre Toms receiving and Frank Cange continuing to be a threat to score from anywhere on the field, the Eagles rolled.

The team averaged 32.4 points per game over the last five games of the regular season.

Lindbergh last won a league title in 1984, when it played in the NPSL (before the Seamount existed). Lately, it’s been Kennedy’s league to lose. Evergreen had been the only league team to beat the Lancers since 1996 before this season (Hazen also beat Kennedy this year).

“It’s not something you really expect when you’re one of the other Seamount teams,” O’Grady said. “You hope for the opportunity every once in a while to get there and compete for it. We really thought this group of athletes had a chance to get it done.”

Recap of Evergreen game

Lindbergh didn’t start the game sharply and couldn’t score in the first quarter. But the Eagles made up for lost time by dominating the second quarter, scoring 31 points.

Davis scored on two rushes, one from 19 yards out and one from 22 yards out. Isiah Corwin then caught a tipped pass on the back of the end zone from Stuart for a 21-yard touchdown. Derrick Holt returned an interception 35 yards for a score and Cameron Callen tacked on a field goal from 22 yards out.

Evergreen finally got on the board when Lindbergh lost a high snap on a punt attempt out of the end zone.

“We really felt like we played one good quarter of football,” O’Grady said. “We were a little disappointed in the performance. Obviously pleased with the outcome, but overall not satisfied.”

Work isn’t over

Even as the Lindbergh players celebrated after the win, they knew there was work to do heading into the playoffs.

“The last two weeks we’ve scored a bunch of points and haven’t given up very many, but I don’t feel like we gave our best effort either time,” O’Grady said. “You get things going your way and pretty soon you start expecting things to go your way, and you let up a little bit. Now it’s playoff time and there’s no letting up. You let up and you’re done.”

O’Grady said team must improve on the offensive and defensive line, and also in producing a full game of all-out effort.

Notes

• Lindbergh will host Bainbridge of the Metro League in the play-in round of the state tournament.
• Herley left the game in the second quarter after taking a hit to the ribs. O’Grady said he has battled sore ribs for the past couple of weeks and left as a precaution.

Photo slideshow of the Eagles’ win against Evergreen coming Tuesday