Elk Grove 28, Hersey 7

Losing streak? What losing streak?

It's a thing of the past for Elk Grove.

Behind a staunch defensive effort and the dazzling running of quarterback Bryan Bathauer, the Grens defeated visiting Hersey 28-7 to break a 15-game skid.

"After a win like this, you forget all about it," said Elk Grove junior linebacker Jake Meyer. "Our offense drove the ball, and our defense forced a lot of three-and-outs.

"We played like a team."

Elk Grove did most of its damage on the ground, as Bathauer ran for 153 yards and 3 touchdowns and running back Kory Laga rushed 24 times for 160 yards.

"This was big," said Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen. "We've been right in our last few games, but big plays hurt us. Tonight we eliminated (the opponent's) big plays and made a few of our own."

Touchdown runs by Bathauer of 16 and 17 yards staked Elk Grove to a 14-0 halftime advantage, but Hersey (0-6, 0-2) cut into the lead early in the fourth quarter.

First Pat Crost intercepted a Bathauer pass and ran it back to the Elk Grove 11, then Crost ran off tackle from his running back position to make it 14-7.

Elk Grove extended the lead minutes later on a 32-yard Bathauer scamper, then Laga closed out the scoring with a 5-yard run to seal the win.

Kevin McDonald rushed 8 times for 30 yards for the winners.

"We stayed basic," said Elk Grove (1-5, 1-1) wide receiver Julian Serrano. "There were two struggling teams playing tonight and we knew whichever one stepped up would get the win."

"These players, especially the seniors, have been battling their butts off," said Whalen. "I'm glad it turned out this way -- they deserved to win."