Oswego loves football. There were high expectations for the high school football team last season, but this year brought a whole new group, with just three returning starters. There was no preseason ranking and a lot of doubt.
The doubts turned into belief after the Panthers upset highly-regarded Maine South in the Class 8A quarterfinals last week.
Saturday’s semifinal game against visiting Lockport was a defensive battle. It came down to the final play, with Lockport attempting a game-tying 40-yard field goal with 4 seconds left.
The kick was short, securing a 10-7 win for Oswego and a spot in the Class 8A state title game against Mount Carmel next weekend.
Players and fans stormed the field in jubilation after time expired.
“This took a lot of heart and a lot of belief,” Oswego senior Mariano Velasco said. “We knew we were good players and trusted that and trusted our coaching staff, and they got us where we are today.”
Senior Kaleb Stumpenhorst kicked a 42-yard field goal with one minute left to put Oswego (11-2) ahead.
“My heart was definitely pounding, but it was the same as any other kick,” Stumpenhorst said. “Smooth, smooth, fast, get through the ball and right through the uprights.”
Stumpenhorst watched from the sidelines just a few minutes later as another kicker was put in an even tougher situation.
“You know the feeling,” Stumpenhourst said. “You want him to make it. Well, you want him to miss. But specialists are a tight-knit group. I know the feeling, it is insane.”
The biggest play of the game was Oswego sophomore Ammar Banire’s 63-yard TD run with 11:10 left that tied the game at 7. It was one of just two plays in the entire game that went for more than 23 yards.
“It didn’t even feel real,” Banire said. “I knew as soon as I saw that crease I was gone. My teammates made some great blocks for me. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
“That was amazing,” Velasco said. “My jaw dropped. As soon as he scored, I knew the game was over. I knew our defense was going to hold them.”
Banire was one of a group of Oswego players who regularly attended 5 a.m. weight room sessions. He slowly worked his way to playing time and had a breakout game against Oswego East on Oct. 17.
“This is a product of our hard work,” Banire said. “Before the season, nobody thought we were going to be anything. This is how we operate in Oswego.”
Velasco, a defensive back, was part of the Panthers’ defense that held Lockport (9-4) to 85 yards passing and 100 yards rushing.
“I just wanted that clock to hit zero,” Velasco said. “Our defense came up big, and we made the crucial stops. We made some mistakes, but we stayed strong and finished the game.”
Banire had 18 carries for 118 yards. Oswego quarterback Drew Kleinhans completed three passes for 18 yards.
“We were doubted at the start of the year,” Stumpenhorst said. “They said we weren’t even going to make the playoffs, and we are in the state final now. It’s a great feeling.”
Lockport quarterback Brendan Mecher was 9-for-18 for 85 yards. He had 13 carries for 57 yards, including a nine-yard TD in the second quarter.
“I’m proud of our kids,” Lockport coach George Czart said. “We aren’t perfect, but we sure did strive to become the best we could be. We just came up a little short today. Hats off to Oswego. They played a great game. They had one more play than we did. That long TD run was definitely the difference.”
Oswego, which won the Class 7A state title in 2003, will be heavy underdogs against Mount Carmel in the 8A title game. But the Panthers have been underdogs all season.
“The entire community was here today and throughout the week we got so much love from our city,” Velasco said. “It’s so great to finish it off with a win for them.”
@michaelsobriensports Lockport missed a game-tying field goal and Oswego wins 10-7. The Panthers will face Mount Carmel in the state title game. #ihsa #football #oswego ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports