Gordon’s big day not enough as Leyden laughs last in Highland Park

Michael Bryant to Lucas Gordon was an amazing combination on the football field Friday night.

The problem was they weren’t on the field that much — at least not as much as their counterparts.

Visiting Leyden controlled possession, especially in the second half, at Highland Park’s Wolters Field Friday, Aug. 30, an advantage that helped the Eagles score last to claim a 30-27 victory against the Giants.

“Leyden did a great job of moving the chains, running the ball and playing physical football,” Highland Park coach Anthony Kopp said. “… You have to give them credit for marching down the field.

“We need to play as a team. We need to play with some more heart and trust each other a little bit more.”

Leyden’s Maddox Jasinski (14-of-18 passing, 193 yards) tossed a touchdown pass with just over 2 minutes to play, giving his team the advantage before Highland Park’s last gasp fell short.

The Eagles overcame Gordon’s huge day. The Giants junior wideout caught five passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns — two 66-yarders and a 56-yarder, all coming from senior quarterback Michael Bryant.

Gordon’s last catch was the most spectacular, as he deflected and then caught a deep ball between two defenders and then broke free for a 66-yard score. The touchdown gave Highland Park a 27-23 advantage before Leyden’s winning drive.

“He’s a special player,” Kopp said of Gordon. “A lot of skills. Teams are going to see that and have to account for him out there.”

Bryant’s 6-yard QB keeper gave the Giants their other touchdown on the night — his team’s first of the season.

Leyden scored first following a Highland Park turnover. But the Giants responded with Bryant’s touchdown run that was set up by a 52-yard reception by Gordon.

Things looked bleak for the Giants after the Eagles scored on a 27-yard run late in the first half to take a 17-6 lead. Bryant and Gordon, however, hooked up again, this time for a 44-yard score to cut into the deficit before the break.

“We have a lot of chemistry,” Gordon said of he and Bryant. “We’ve been working together all summer. We really know each other well. We kind of read each other’s minds on the field. … Just the right stuff happened tonight.”

The Giants forced and recovered two fumbles in the second half. One was recovered by JT Killeen and the other by Zach Torres. Highland Park turned one of the turnovers into a touchdown.

But Leyden kept firing back and in the end, scored last.

“We only get nine of these (games) and we kind of just wasted one,” Gordon said. “We just have to learn and keep going — just get better.”

The 0-1 Giants will have to pick up the pieces for a big rivalry tilt in Week 2. Highland Park travels to Deerfield on Friday, Sept. 6.

Kopp said the Week 1 loss stings, but other games ahead will define the Giants’ season.

“You always want to start out 1-0, start with a win; our schedule early on is tough, so you’d hope to get a couple wins early in those nonconference games” Kopp said, “but really, if you look at it big picture, our goal of winning conference is still in front of us. So hopefully we take this as a learning experience.”

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