And finding a foothold on what might have been previously been a natural grass field but was now just puddled mud was difficult.

But you've got to find a way to play in any conditions, and though it took Lake Park more than a half to figure it out, the Lancers eventually got their footing and won the Upstate Eight Conference contest 28-0.

The win moves Lake Park (5-1, 4-0) to within one victory of automatic qualification for the IHSA playoffs. The Lancers last qualified for the postseason in 2006. Lake Park also keeps alive hopes of the UEC title, though the final third of the season brings games with South Elgin, Waubonsie Valley and Bartlett.

"It's been kind of a rough five years," Lake Park coach Andy Livington said. "It's kind of nice thinking we could be back in the playoffs. But we've got some real tough opponents coming up. We've got to play with those guys."

East Aurora (0-6, 0-4) came close to scoring only in the very late portion of the fourth quarter, when a touchdown run by Troy Ruffin was called back because of a penalty.

By then Lake Park had its 28 points. The only points of the first three quarters, however, came on a 33-yard punt return by Artie Monaco. With the score only 6-0 at halftime and with East Aurora moving the ball at times, the Lancers defense needed to make some adjustments to try to preserve the lead.     http://football.dailyherald.com/story/?id=326221