Intense, underrated Oklahoma State recruit TJ Lewis powers Bolingbrook past Lockport

Bolingbrook senior TJ Lewis runs so hard in practice that his coach, Titcus Pettigrew, worries it might get dangerous.

‘‘We have to take him out sometimes,’’ Pettigrew said. ‘‘The intensity. And the defense doesn’t let up. Someone is going to injure someone with how hard he runs and how hard they hit. It is just his passion. He has a big chip on his shoulder. And he has some big shoulders.’’

Lewis says that chip on his shoulder is because national recruiting websites have underrated him.

‘‘I’m ranked No. 32 in Illinois right now [by 247Sports.com], which is not true,’’ Lewis said. ‘‘They can see it like that. But my play is going to get me where we need to be.’’

Lewis ran for 182 yards and three touchdowns to lead the No. 7 Raiders to a 38-14 rout of visiting Lockport in a Class 8A first-round playoff game Friday.

‘‘If they want to keep doubting that boy and not give him his flowers, I say thank you,’’ Pettigrew said. ‘‘I want to keep it that way because it keeps him motivated.’’

Lewis has committed to Oklahoma State, and 247Sports.com lists him as the No. 2 running back in the state.

‘‘I was afraid we would not be able to tackle him,’’ Porters coach George Czart said. ‘‘The plan was to make sure we went low on him. If you try to tackle him up high, he is just going to shake you off. He’s so strong with his core. Even that didn’t work. You have to get as many guys as you can on him. He did such a great job of cutting and finding a hole. He’s so explosive through the hole. Anything we tried to do didn’t work.’’

Lewis scored on a 32-yard run on his first touch of the game. It was Bolingbrook’s first offensive play after Lockport (6-5) threw an interception on its opening drive.

The Raiders (9-1) led 24-7 at halftime, and Lewis scored on a 24-yard run early in the third quarter to make it 31-7.

‘‘TJ is a dog,’’ Bolingbrook defensive lineman Darieon Prescott said. ‘‘I’m so proud of how he’s grown up as a player and a person.’’

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Prescott, a 6-5, 260-pound junior, has committed to Notre Dame. The Raiders were No. 9 in preseason rankings but lost their opening game 31-0 to Homewood-Flossmoor.

‘‘We were really cocky going into Week 1,’’ Prescott said. ‘‘But we took that with our chins up and did not lose another game.’’

‘‘The first game was humbling pie,’’ Pettigrew said. ‘‘Two of our starting offensive linemen got into a car wreck that Monday. We didn’t tell anybody, but we had to start a freshman and a sophomore against a Wisconsin commit. It’s OK. They took a little whupping and learned and responded really well. And the freshman and sophomore have grown up.’’

Bolingbrook will host Lyons in the second round next weekend. The Raiders might be the most talented team in the area outside the Catholic League, and they have high hopes.

‘‘We have been talking about this playoff run all year,’’ Lewis said. ‘‘We want a state championship back in the ’Brook, and the fans do, too. We are trying to push for that.’’