Riley Contreras stars at quarterback and safety as Hinsdale Central storms back to beat Lyons

Hinsdale Central quarterback Riley Contreras doesn't have to tell anyone how much he trusts Jack Lesniewicz. Everyone in the stands on Saturday in Western Springs could tell from Contreras's passes that the two seniors have a special connection.

Conteras is a tough, daring player, and he threw balls to Lesniewicz that showed complete faith and hard-earned years of timing. The seniors have a bond that stretches back more than a decade.

“I remember when we were little kids we had to strap each other’s helmets on before the game,” Contreras said. “Now we are here together on the biggest stage as seniors. It’s me and him.”

Lesniewicz caught eight passes for 194 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown, as No. 21 Hinsdale Central knocked off No. 16 Lyons 29-26.

“[Contreras] has been my quarterback since second grade and we are best friends,” Lesniewicz said. “That’s my brother. I love that kid.”

Contreras was 11 of 16 for 209 yards with two TDs and no interceptions. He ran for 43 yards and a touchdown and played the entire game at safety. It’s rare for a Class 8A quarterback to play significant time on defense, especially on a ranked team.

“I didn’t come off the field in that game,” Contreras said. “Lay it all out there, 100 percent. I walk off the field with no gas left in the tank.”

Contreras, also a talented baseball player, will likely play defense in college.

“I have a lot of respect for anyone who is able to play free safety and then play quarterback as well,” said Lyons coach Jon Beutjer, who was a star quarterback at Wheaton-Warrenville South and Illinois. “And he didn’t cramp up at all. He’s physical. You have to give him credit.”

Lyons (3-1, 0-1 West Suburban Silver) scored first and led 17-14 at halftime. The lead grew to 19-14 after a safety late in the third quarter. The Lions seemed to have the game in hand.

Then Hinsdale Central found a way back. Senior Nicholas Mann grabbed a deflected pass for an interception, giving the Red Devils the ball on their own 19. That changed the momentum.

“[Mann] is probably our fourth or fifth linebacker,” Hinsdale Central coach Brian Griffin said. “But he’s always ready. He’s the kind of kid you build your team around. That kind of hustle play.”

Senior running back Dominic Tresslar capitalized with a 90-yard TD run to put Hinsdale Central (3-1, 1-1) ahead 22-19. Five minutes later Contreras scored on a 17-yard run to put the Red Devils ahead 29-19.

“We were in a position to win and we kind of fell apart,” Lyons coach Jon Beutjer said. “We are going to stay together and learn from this. There is no time to feel sorry for yourself in our conference. We will get better.”

Junior running back EJ Kuhlman had 29 carries for 156 yards and two TDs for Lyons. Quarterback Jack Slightom was 21-for-39 for 254 yards with one TD.

West Suburban Silver powers Downers Grove North, Glenbard West and York were ranked in the preseason. Lyons and Hinsdale Central were expected to be good, but just outside the top of the loaded conference. Now both are in the mix for the title.

“We knew that nobody has respect for Hinsdale Central,” Lesniewicz said. “We are going to take it. We aren’t here to feed into any of the comments. We are just going to put the work in.”