Glory Days

University of Miami Football Placekicker Jake Wieclaw Showed His Stuff at Early Age

Where did he get his start? A tryout with New Lenox Mustangs paved way for Jake Wieclaw's success, first at Lincoln-Way Central and now at the University of Miami.

During his 16 years as the coach of the New Lenox Mustangs 10-year-old football team, Pat Athans always would give the players a chance to kick field goals before the start of each season. Only one was ever successful. “Jake (Wieclaw) was the first player to kick a field goal for me, and he was the last one,” said Athans, whose final season with the Mustangs was last season. “It’s hard to find a kid at that age that can kick. He kicked a 26-yard field goal and I said, ‘Well, the rest of you guys better find something else to do because we have our kicker.’ It’s pretty cool to see what he’s doing now.” After a record-setting career at Lincoln-Way Central, Wieclaw is currently the starting place-kicker for the University of Miami football …

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Glory Days

Lincoln-Way Central Graduate Wieclaw Making Most of Opportunity to Kick Football for Miami Hurricanes

Reliving the Glory Days: After record-setting high school career with the Knights, Jake Wieclaw is now the starting placekicker for the Miami Hurricanes. He dreams of one day playing in the NFL.

After successfully kicking his first collegiate field goal Sept. 5 against Maryland, University of Miami junior placekicker Jake Wieclaw couldn’t help but think about his first attempt at Lincoln-Way Central. Wieclaw booted a pressure-packed 30-yard field goal to give the Hurricanes a 24-23 lead with 4:01 remaining in the fourth quarter. Maryland, however, scored nine points in the final 1:39 to pull out a 32-24 victory and spoil Wieclaw’s heroic moment. “Believe it or not, it reminded me of high school,” said the 2007 Lincoln-Way Central graduate. “My second game ever as a freshman we were in a similar situation. We were in field-goal range and they sent me out there with a minute to go. I made the kick, but Andrew ended up throwing a …

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Lauren Traut

11:30 am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I know you didn't mean to leave Champaign off the list, FELLOW ILLINI.   more ›

Football Photo Gallery: Williams Takes His Show on the Road for H-F

As it turns out, Tim Williams didn't mind a little rain. He was anything but all wet in Homewood-Flossmoor's 42-7 football victory over Lincoln-Way Central on Friday night in New Lenox.

Touchdown Timmy? Why not? Tim Williams passed for three touchdowns and ran for one more in Homewood-Flossmoor's 42-7 football victory over Lincoln-Way Central on Friday night. Five different players scored for the Vikings (3-0, 1-0). Anfernee Roberts finished with two touchdowns and one interception. Check out the action.

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