South Elgin Patriots Gold 83 looking ahead to second half

HINSDALE - For South Elgin Patriots Gold 83, the season's first half theme would be "one play away."

The Patriots opened the season with a tie and a one-point loss, two games which could have swung South Elgin's way if a key play had gone its way. After a difficult loss in Elmhurst last week, South Elgin looked to rebound Sunday against the Hinsdale Falcons, but again fell short by a final score of 20-13.

South Elgin and Hinsdale got off to a fast start, with the Patriots holding a 13-12 lead at the end of the first quarter, thanks to touchdown runs of 53 yards by Elijah Earl and 27 yards by Ryne Campana.

The Patriots defense began to slow Hinsdale in the second quarter. Giovanny Garcia darted through the Falcons line to scoop up the first of his two fumble recoveries on the day. However, Hinsdale started their final drive of the first half with solid field position. The Falcons runner found daylight around the left side as time expired to put Hinsdale back on top.

Both defenses played strong in the second half. South Elgin held Hinsdale to -8 yards after halftime, and Garcia recovered another fumble. Alex Calo led the Patriots with six and a half tackles. Brett Phillips, Joey Kidd, Isaiah Gomez and Garcia recorded tackles for loss.

"We keep working hard to put together a complete game. Again, it feels like it came down to one play making the difference," Patriots Head Coach Regan Earl said.

South Elgin begins the BGYFL season's second half on Saturday when the Patriots (0-3-1) host Wheaton at Sperry Field. The Patriots will play three of their final four games at home.