A Mayor’s Cup, with a coach-QB twist
Conant plays for three Mayor’s Cups and this year, they are all in consecutive weeks. The first of them is tonight at Elk Grove.
Cougars coach Bill Modelski is familiar with most of the Grenadiers players because his sons, including starting quarterback Danny, grew up playing sports in Elk Grove.
“I’ve seen a lot of these kids play baseball, basketball and football as they have grown up,” Modelski said. “I have known a lot of those kids since they were very young, so for me personally, it’s a little strange.”
First-year Elk Grove coach Larry Calhoun is new to the rivalry, but his players have filled him in.
“Anytime you have that cross-town rivalry, it’s going to be a spirited contest,” Calhoun said. “There is a lot on the line in terms of pride. I know that we’ll get their best. I’d like to think that this game against Palatine (42-21 loss) makes us more ready.”
In last year’s game, Elk Grove got a little more than just the Mayor’s Cup trophy, as their 36-14 victory that evened up the all-time series at 19-19 meant they were advancing to the second round of the 7A playoffs.
“It left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth,” Modelski said of the first round loss. “The thing about it is that they played a very good game and we didn’t. We were disappointed in ourselves and you hate to do that when you’re playing a rival.”
Broncos buck early trend: Last Friday was quite the turnaround for Barrington. The Broncos followed up a 41-7 defeat at Rolling Meadows with the type of victory that changes the course of a season, a 42-6 drubbing of previously undefeated Prospect.
“I don’t know if a lot changed as much as we identified the good things that we did (against Meadows) because there were more good things that people realize in a game like that,” said coach Joe Sanchez. “We tried to build off those.”
Justin Dragosz got the Broncos going right away with a 61-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage, allowing Barrington’s defense to settle in. Colin Castagna, Ben Calamari and company held Knights QB Devin O’Hara to just 68 yards on the ground after he averaged 216 in the Knights’ first two games.
“We came out very focused,” Sanchez said. “I think our guys realized that game wasn’t us. We had some missed opportunities offensively in the first half and fortunately we were able to capitalize in the second half.”
Ÿ Go Beyond Barrington is a student-led, non-profit organization that is partnering up with the Broncos football team this weekend to raise money for victims of the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri last May. All students are being encouraged to wear neon to tonight’s game against Buffalo Grove to create awareness for the cause. The group will also be hosting a music festival on Saturday night in the auditorium. All of the proceeds will go to building houses for families that are still homeless
Miklasz catching on quickly: Hersey has dropped their last two games but a bright spot has been the play of Ed Miklasz.
The junior wide receiver has had a very smooth transition from the sophomore team to the varsity squad, hauling in 7 touchdown passes in his first 3 games.
“We knew when he was a sophomore (of his ability) because he was the first one to show some shake and bake and the ability to get open,” said Hersey coach Dragan Teonic.
Miklasz caught 10 passes for 103 yards from Quinn Orlandi in the 37-21 loss to Schaumburg, turning 3 of them into touchdowns. While Miklasz hasn’t faced many double teams yet, Teonic knows they are coming eventually but is confident Miklasz can continue his production.
“He is extremely hard-working and takes to coaching very well,” said Hersey coach Dragan Teonic. “When you have a talented athlete who works hard and is coachable, usually the results are pretty good.