The Forester football team began the spring 2021 season by defeating Greenville University 27-2 in the rain on Sunday.
The Lake Forest defense did not allow the Panthers to score all afternoon, surrendering just 214 yards on 75 offensive plays and forcing four turnovers. Sophomore linebacker Javan Ah Quin led the home team with seven tackles and added a forced fumble. Sophomore defensive lineman Sam Okwuobu also forced a fumble and recoveries were made by junior linebacker Gavin Stapley, senior defensive lineman Matt Leonard, and sophomore defensive lineman Justin Albee. The fumbles occurred on three consecutive Greenville possessions late in the third quarter and early in the fourth while the only interception of the game was turned in by sophomore defensive back Danny Baker in the second.
The only two points of the game for the Panthers came on a safety and broke a scoreless tie with three seconds remaining in the opening period.
The lead was short-lived, however, as the visitors next possession lasted just three plays and the punt was returned 81 yards for a touchdown by Lake Forest sophomore A.J. Jackson. It was the fifth time Jackson has scored on punt or kickoff return in 11 career games.
Taking the lead must have sparked the Forester offense, as the team reached the end zone on three of the team's next five possessions. The first came on a 10-yard run by sophomore running back Damon Bonds and made the score 10-2 at the half. Sophomore running back Armani Brown then powered 15 yards for a touchdown early in the third quarter and Jackson closed out the scoring when he recovered his own fumble in the end zone on a 17-yard pass play in the fourth.
Jackson's touchdown reception was the first touchdown pass as a Forester for sophomore quarterback Vincent Wallace, who was making his first career start.
Lake Forest is 1-0 for the seventh time in the last nine years. The loss dropped Greenville's record on the season to 1-3.
The Foresters will travel to Illinois College next Saturday for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff.