Machon's special night lifts Wauconda past Round Lake

Alex Machon has learned that practicing his role on the special teams means a lot for the Wauconda's football team.

That attitude was only reinforced against Round Lake.

Machon recovered a ball in the end zone and blocked a point later in the game, helping Wauconda score 21 points off turnovers. The Bulldogs also added scores after a blocked punt and an interception in running away with a 40-0 victory over Round Lake in North Suburban Prairie action Friday in Wauconda.

Machon opened the door for the Bulldogs (1-2, 1-0) in the opening quarter by recovering the ball in the end zone after a high snap went over the punter for Round Lake.

The he added his to his special-teams effort by blocking a punt in the second quarter, which led to another Wauconda touchdown.

"We really prepped well all week," Machon said. "The rest of my team got through, and I just cleaned it up. I saw the ball pop out and I thought, 'I should grab this.

"I had a great jump on the blocked punt. I really haven't played special teams the last couple of years. This year is new to me, and it's special."

Wauconda pulled ahead 14-0 with 11:06 left in the second quarter when Peter Fink caught a 13-yard pass from Kevin Malisheski.

Andry Nevski rushed in for 3-yard TD run with 8:56 remaining. That score was set up by Connor Mitchell's interception.

After Machon blocked a punt, the Bulldogs' Antonio Acosta caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Malisheski to put Wauconda up 27-0.

Wauconda added second-half scores from Jacob Bicknase (3-yard run) and Orlando Hernandez, who recovered a fumble in the end zone.

"We'll take a win anytime we can get them," Wauconda coach Dave Mills said. "Our kids played hard and fast. I love their effort and how hard they played. They showed how much emotion that they had in them."

Round Lake (0-3, 0-1) is still trying to find their identity under first-year coach Cristo Garza.

"I just think anytime you take over a program, it's a step-by-step process," Garza said. "Every week, we're looking for things to improve on. Our kids are young and it's always fixable mistakes. We did get a few fumble recoveries - it's learning how to play football."