Junior defensive back Matt Kies fractured his right hip making a cut before the first game and missed his entire freshman season for Lockport.

But he never gave up on playing football.

“Never,’’ Kies said. “I love the sport and I put my time and effort into the sport. I never had any thoughts of quitting. It was obviously sad and I missed being with my friends.

“But I thought that once I get my hip back, I would be stronger than ever.”

Both hips were in good working order on a rainy Saturday night as Kies seemingly flew out of nowhere to knock down a 2-point conversion pass attempt with 25 seconds left to lift the host Porters to a 21-20 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a Class 8A second-round playoff game.

Senior running back Chris Miller rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries and added a 2-point conversion for Lockport (8-3). Senior quarterback Brendan Mecher also ran for 98 yards and two TDs on 14 carries.

Lockport’s Chris Miller (24) scores a TD against Homewood-Flossmoor during a Class 8A second-round playoff game in Lockport on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)

The Porters held a 21-7 lead with 8:58 left in the fourth quarter before H-F (6-5) rallied to score two TDs on a run by Joaquin Jordan and a pass from Rahsaan Coleman to Xavier Pratt.

Facing a 21-20 deficit, the Vikings went for two. North Dakota State recruit Myles Ellis threw a pass to what looked like a wide-open Coleman until Kies appeared and swatted the ball away.

“The awareness that Kies had to have on that play was next level,” Miller said. “Him coming all the way across the field and making that diving play to bat the ball down was just out of this world.

“That was the highlight of the whole defense’s play.”

Lockport’s Brendan Mecher (1) dives into the end zone for a TD against Homewood-Flossmoor during a Class 8A second-round playoff game in Lockport on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)

At first, Kies thought it was going to be a run but quickly adapted when the ball went into the air.

“I knew No. 10 was my responsibility, so I knew I had to be there,” Kies said of Pratt. “I knew that ball was going to him. I knew I had to make a play. I was beat out at first, but then I made the play.”

Mecher was also impressed afterward. He’s seen that before out of the 5-foot-9, 150-pound Kies.

“He’s a fantastic playmaker,” Mecher said. “He’s not the biggest player, but he has a lot of heart. And he has a lot of skill, as you saw. He’s a junior and he’s going to continue to be a great player.”

Lockport’s Adam Kozak (2) runs for a first down against Homewood-Flossmoor during a Class 8A second-round playoff game in Lockport on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)

And now, the the 23rd-seeded Porters head to the quarterfinals for the first time since winning the state title in 2021. They will play host Saturday to second-seeded Barrington (10-1).

On Sept. 12, H-F earned a 28-13 SouthWest Valley Blue victory over the host Porters, who then dropped a 49-14 decision the next week to Lincoln-Way East.

Lockport, however, has reeled off seven straight victories since that point of the season.

“Colton Benaitis was out that game,” Kies said of not having the Central Michigan-bound senior safety for that first meeting against the Vikings. “He’s a great impact player and the kind of kid you want on your team.

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Rahsaan Coleman (6) evades a tackle for a TD run against Lockport during a Class 8A second-round playoff game in Lockport on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Jeff Vorva / Daily Southtown)

“We’ve been able to stay on top defensively and not give up the big pass. And our offense — I’m so proud of them for giving us 21 points on the board.”

After that lost freshman season, Kies played last year on the sophomore team and came through with five interceptions. This season, he has developed into a trusted member of the defense.

When players suffer big injuries, it usually changes their perspective on the sport.

“I only have one perspective on football,” Kies said. “And that’s that I love it.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/08/matt-kies-lockport-homewood-flossmoor-ihsa-football/