Palatine keeps positive outlook

Palatine is 3 yards and a cloud of doubt from potentially being 3-0.

Instead, the Pirates take a 1-2 record into their latest daunting challenge -- tonight's trip to Prospect for a Mid-Suburban League football crossover.

But just as they did after missing a 2-point conversion in the final minute of their opener against Lake Forest, the Pirates aren't taking a "why us" approach after last week's 21-14 loss at Rolling Meadows, the state's top-ranked Class 7A team.

Instead, it's still "why not us" about becoming the team that ends the school's 10-year playoff drought.

"The kids feel that confidence and know how close they've been," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "It's a great group to coach. There's no complaining and they're pretty steady each week."

Watching the film did nothing to change the opinions of Donnelly and the rest of the Pirates that quarterback Matt Rossi got in the end zone on his fourth-and goal plunge from the 1 in the final minute.

But Donnelly was quick to point out "it didn't come down to that drive. We had several opportunities to score and we did not.

"Those things have to be corrected if we want to do the things we say we want to do."

In fact, that was the sixth possession by the Pirates that ended in Meadows' territory without points. One was by an interception and two were on fumbles.

"We have to get the points," Donnelly said. "Our whole point of emphasis in practice is we've got to understand, inside the 30-yard line, there can not be mistakes.

"We need to get in the end zone. We need to get points out of drives."

What's making a difference from last year's 2-7 finish is the Pirates aren't giving up points and yards at prolific paces.

After Jack Hansen sparked them with a 60-yard interception return for a touchdown, the Pirates immediately forced a three-and-out when linebacker Ryan Hourigan broke up a third-down pass.

"I thought our defense, considering the weapons they had to shut down, did a nice job against them," Donnelly said.

"Our defense felt like we could stop them every time," Hansen said after containing the prolific Mustangs to 236 total yards. "They just had one or two big plays and that's it."

Palatine is also getting stronger this week with starting offensive lineman Taylor Aiello (knee) and linebacker Steven Korus (mono) returning to a team ready to rebound.

"They're sure fired up to play this week and they can't wait to get on the field," Donnelly said. "We just need to get wins to make that schedule pay off in the playoffs.

"We talked about close not being good enough any more."

Valuable lessons: Rather than try to brush it aside, Rolling Meadows coach Doug Millsaps was excited about his team's ascension to the top spot in the Class 7A state poll two weeks ago.

It also makes the Mustangs a big target, as they learned in last week's 21-14 win over Palatine.

Senior defensive lineman Paul Hames, who was in on the game-saving goal-line stop, said he doesn't pay much attention to the rankings and hype the Mustangs have received. But he conceded "it might have made us a little cocky."

But learning those lessons now rather than later figures to make Meadows even better. Such as quarterback Ben Sabal throwing an interception that went for a touchdown on third-and-10 at the Palatine 45 with 6:53 to play.

"There are ways to beat yourself and that was one of them," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps of the play call. "If we run three times and punt it the game's over. It's that simple."

Meadows also showed a couple of areas that are vital to postseason success. Its defense didn't allow points on six trips into its territory -- including an interception by Stan Pheteau and fumble recoveries by Joe Okon and Ricky Allala.

And Kevin Serna's punting and kickoffs were crucial in keeping Palatine from good field position. Scott Wenzel downed Serna punts at the 1 and 4 in the second half and his third kick forced the Pirates to have to go 83 yards for a tie in the final 4:56.

"Serna played really, really well," Millsaps said. "Our kickoff team has gotten a lot better than last year.

"Our punt coverage has been good. Kevin gives us a chance to get the ball to where it's supposed to be and those things make a huge difference."

Stat of the week: On Meadows' first scoring drive last week, Ben Sabal was 7-for-8 for 100 yards. A sack, a bad center snap and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty prolonged a drive that allowed Sabal to literally throw the length of the field.

Long snaps: Maine South's saw a 42-game Central Suburban League crossover and division game winning streak ended 13-10 last week by Glenbrook North. The Hawks last CSL loss was 17-7 in the 2000 season finale to New Trier.

• There are still six weeks left in the regular season, but some of the 7A state hopefuls might shudder at seeing the defending champs from 8A (Wheaton Warrenville South) and 7A (St. Rita) in their bracket. They are currently two of the three schools with the highest enrollments of the 7A playoff hopefuls listed by the IHSA.

• St. Joseph's 39th straight loss last week broke a tie with Bloom for the sixth-longest skid in IHSA history. The road ahead isn't any easier with four teams with winning records on the schedule after hosting 1-2 St. Patrick this week.

Quincy is fifth with 42 straight losses from 1986-92. Savanna holds the all-time mark with 63 (1995-2002).

• Fans looking for a Saturday high school football fix will get their wish starting at the end of the month with Hoffman at Barrington (Sept. 29), Lyons at Leyden (Oct. 6), Palatine at Schaumburg (Oct. 13) and St. Viator at Nazareth (Oct. 20).