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

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