With 1:31 remaining Saturday, the Lancers declined a chance to kick the game-tying extra point and instead threw a successful 2-point conversion pass to defeat Belleville East 22-21 in a Class 8A state playoff game.

"There wasn't any decision - on the road, go for the win," Lake Park defensive coordinator Bob Nihells said after quarterback Larry Nawrot rolled left and hit Clay Cooper for the decisive conversion pass.

Nawrot said head coach Andy Livingston never hesitated after calling a timeout to set up the play.

"We knew we were going for 2," said Nawrot, whose 32-yard pass to Artie Monaco set up Monaco's 1-yard touchdown run that led to the critical moment. "This is the playoffs, you've got to take chances."

Nawrot rolled left to get the defense's attention, hoping Cooper would find a way to get open.

"I knew if I gave that (Belleville East) kid a little step inside he would come up to me and leave Cooper wide open, so that's what I did," said Nawrot, whose 8-2 team wiped out a 14-0 halftime deficit and ended Belleville East's season at 7-3.

"They made some good adjustments," Belleville East coach Tim Funk said. "I thought that we would come out and play a little bit better the second half. We can say that we didn't play well or we can give them credit, and that's what we're going to do."