Dundee-Crown grabs first win

Ricky Ibarra was unquestionably the feature running back for Dundee-Crown Friday night in Aurora.

The Chargers were looking for their first win of the football season, and Ibarra, a junior, was one of three D-C players to score multiple touchdowns against East Aurora in nonconference play.

Scoring on their four opening possessions after halftime, the Chargers rolled to a 48-20 victory.

Ibarra had a rushing touchdown and also scored off a short connection from Josh Raby as the Chargers exploited 5 East Aurora turnovers - including three on kickoff returns - to deny the Tomcats (0-4).

"I have to thank the offensive line for everything," Ibarra said. "I started trusting my offensive linemen. (The turnovers were) everything for the offense."

The Chargers' Ryan Loscano, also a junior back, and Jack Michalski scored a pair of touchdowns for Dundee-Crown (1-3).

Michalski had two 13-yard scoring receptions from Raby.

The first came with just under 10 seconds to play in the first half as D-C took a 21-12 lead into the break.

"Our offense can drive the ball," Michalski said. "I knew I was going to be open (on the first touchdown catch). I looked for the ball, and it was a perfect ball."

Just as they did at the start of the second quarter, the Chargers scored on back-to-back possessions in the third after East Aurora misplayed the kickoff following the 1-yard Ibarra plunge.

Michalski hauled in his second strike from Raby moments later to increase the Chargers' lead to 35-12.

East Aurora was able to score off big plays, but the Chargers' Damarion Butler had both a fumble recovery and interception to spearhead the D-C defense.

"We just kill ourselves in every game," said East Aurora wideout Derrick Harden, who scored on a 63-yard pass in the second quarter to bring the Tomcats within 14-12. "We worked on (special teams) in practice. The coach (Kurt Becker) even told us what to do."

Lascano scored the first two Dundee-Crown touchdowns on rushing scores.

Raby ran in the conversion after the opening score to give the Chargers the lead for good at 14-12.

Lascano also recovered the critical fumble with less than a minute to play in the opening half as East Aurora sought to take the lead.

Michalski capped the 41-second drive six plays later.

Davon Wallace accounted for the final Charger score in the waning moments.