Nazario, Mundelein put the hurt on Elgin

After losing in the final seconds of the game last week against East Aurora, it was a repeat viewing of "Heartbreak Hotel" for the Elgin football team Friday night at Mundelein.

With the game tied at 14-14, the host Mustangs wound up in a fourth-and-1 from the Elgin 13-yard-line when they brought in junior Abram Nazario to kick a potential game-wining 30-yard field goal.

And there was no doubt about it as Nazario absolutely nailed the game-winner, deep and easily through the uprights for a 17-14 lead with 21.1 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Ironically, the Maroons (0-2) lost to East Aurora when they had the football stripped from their possession with 21.2 seconds left in that contest a week ago.

"He (Nazario) is a great kid, he's multi-talented, and he came through when we needed him so that was big," said Mundelein coach Larry Calhoun. "No. 21 (senior Aaron Woolford) is a go-to kid for us, and that is clear to everybody now."

Mundelein (1-1) was in a dogfight with Elgin from the outset Friday as Elgin running back Shareick Morris (135 yards on 14 carries) completely reversed field and fought his way through traffic for a 5-yard TD run with 2:49 left in the first quarter. The extra point by Pedro Guizar put the Maroons up 7-0.

The Mustangs bounced back quickly when a big kickoff return gave them the ball on the Elgin 42 to start their ensuing drive.

Woolford (121 yards on 17 carries) broke off a 34-yard run before scoring on a 1-yard TD run on the next play to cut the lead to 7-6. A penalty on Elgin resulted in Mundelein trying a 2-point conversion, but the 2-point run failed and the Maroons led 7-6.

After the Elgin defense made a great defensive stand by stopping the Mustangs on a fourth-and-2 from the 7-yard-line, the Maroons made quick work of their next drive.

Once again it was Morris working his magic as he broke free on a quick hitter off right tackle as he got past the line of scrimmage and raced 85 yards for the touchdown and a 14-6 lead with 6:10 left in the second quarter.

The score remained 14-6 until Mundelein got its offense going again with a short, 36-yard drive late in the third quarter thanks to an interception by senior Sabian Rivera giving the Mustangs great field position.

It took six plays, and it was Woolford scoring on a 3-yard TD run before junior Anthony Norris (8-for-18, 82 yards passing) added a crucial 2-point conversion run to deadlock the score at 14-14 with 2:47 left in the period.

Elgin had two more offensive possessions with plenty of time on the clock in the fourth quarter, but it was unable to sustain any of the drives with only average field position to work with.

Mundelein's game-winning possession started on its own 43 with around 3:45 to play as runs of 7 and 19 yards by Woolford put the ball on the Elgin 22-yard-line as the Mustangs began to milk the clock.

Then came decision time and coach Calhoun and even Woolford were very confident that Nazario could come through in the clutch.

"It just feels good because we're at home, we have a really good kicker, and I wouldn't be surprised if he (Nazario) kicked a 50-yard field goal," said Woolford, who only had 46 yards rushing at halftime. "Our offense and defense played hard, and our offensive line pushed and blocked so everybody is happy."

The Maroons struggled with their passing game as starter Kristan Flowers (39 yards passing), and Trevon Morris (12 yards passing) split duties under center.

Norris added 34 yards rushing on 7 carries while Trevon Morris had 24 yards rushing on 9 attempts. Elgin's Dae'Vion Arthur added 21 yards on 8 carries.

"Any time you have to win a close one it builds resilience and it gives you confidence for the next game," added Calhoun. "I thought we played well, but we weren't communicating and we got the 'W' anyway."

Elgin pulled off a successful onside kick to open the second half but it was not able to capitalize on taking over at the Mundelein 41-yard-line.

The Maroons had one final possession in the final seconds of the game to pull off a dramatic win, but Mundelein's Tyler Soto intercepted the ball near midfield with 1.8 seconds left to seal the win.