In March, Lincoln-Way West’s Zach Hermanson faced a big-time hurt.

Running the bases during a baseball game for the Warriors, Hermanson ended up injuring his right hamstring. Suddenly, he saw visions of his high school career as a football kicker evaporating.

“I lost a lot of hope,” Hermanson said, looking back at that tell-tale moment in the spring. “I was kind of worried about this year. I didn’t know I was going to play football this year.”

So, in that regard, Hermanson really didn’t think he was going to be in the situation that he was Friday night in front of an estimated crowd of 4,500 in New Lenox.

With 3:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, Hermanson made a school-record 52-yard field goal, lifting host Lincoln-Way West to a 17-12 Southwest Valley Red win over rival Lincoln-Way Central.

It wasn’t a kick in the closing seconds that won the game for the Warriors (4-0, 2-0). But it did energize both the crowd and the team, according to senior defensive back Jackson Mansker.

Lincoln-Way West’s Nick Elstner (37) and RJ Boye (20) break up a pass against Lincoln-Way Central during a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

“Yeah, Herm’s a great kicker and it really kept the momentum going for our defense,” Mansker said. “He executed it and got the job done.”

Senior quarterback Grant Tustin led Lincoln-Way West, running for 81 yards on 17 carries and a TD and throwing for 92 yards, including another TD to Illinois State recruit Chase Markowicz.

Senior running back Justin Cobbs finished with 96 yards on 21 carries and senior quarterback Drew Woodburn ran in a 15-yard TD for Lincoln-Way Central (3-1-1). Lucas Andresen also had a 2-yard TD.

But late in the fourth quarter, the Warriors were looking at a fourth-and-8 situation at the 35 after Tustin was sacked by Bronson Burge. It was decision time for Lincoln-Way West.

Lincoln-Way West’s Jahan Abubakar (2) runs to the outside against Lincoln-Way Central during a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

“I went out there and decided if we were kicking or punting,” Hermanson said. “I lined it up during the timeout. I had it in my head. I told coach I could do it. And I went out and hit it.

“It was amazing.”

Lincoln-Way West coach Luke Lokanc praised his two-time all-state kicker.

“I had 100% faith in him,” Lokanc said of Hermanson. “He’s a four-year starter and a team captain. He has great character and is a great leader. He’s a man of faith.

“I told him at the beginning of this year, if we get to field-goal range, I’ll look at him and he’s either going to give me a thumbs up or thumbs down. He said, ‘Let’s do it.’”

Lincoln-Way West’s Jackson Mansker (1) locks in on the play on defense against Lincoln-Way Central during a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

Special teams certainly got it done for the Warriors. Noah Wendt blocked an extra point in the first quarter and Mansker thwarted a 2-point conversion in the second quarter with a solo tackle.

Plus, Hermanson’s kick. He broke his own record of 44 yards set as a sophomore. He’s converted a 55-yarder in practice for the Warriors, who lead the all-time series against the Knights 9-3.

The healing process for Hermanson, meanwhile, finally kicked in over the summer. He’s religious and credited God for putting him back in the position to succeed.

“At the end of June, I started dabbling with the kicking,” he said. “I was struggling, so I was worried about that, but it progressed. July came around, August came around, I got back to my old ways.

“I am thankful. It’s all God.”

Lincoln-Way West’s Zach Hermanson (6) connects on a 52-yard field goal against Lincoln-Way Central during a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Gary Middendorf / Daily Southtown)

Missing the summer meant missing out on camps in front of college coaches.

“I didn’t get to show them my stuff,” he said. “I hope something pops up.”

And now, Hermanson has fresh, impressive film to send to college coaches after what he called “the biggest kick of my life.”

“He’s definitely a college kicker,” Lokanc said. “A school is going to call him and he’s going to fall in love with it. It’s just going to take some time.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/19/zach-hermanson-lincoln-way-west-central-ihsa-football/