Mustangs clearly show they have postseason edge
Stan Pheteau said he saw a blowout predicted in a Niles newspaper.
And it wasn't favorable news for Rolling Meadows.
Turned out there was a blowout Saturday night when Notre Dame visited Meadows for a Class 7A playoff opener.
"Attaway to put a team away now," Pheteau shouted as he raced away from the postgame handshake line following the Mustangs' 37-0 romp.
Especially now. At a time where one mis-step could have a team putting away its equipment for the season.
There weren't any defensively Saturday night as the Mustangs allowed only 65 total yards in their second straight shutout since their only loss to Buffalo Grove.
The only time Notre Dame reached Meadows territory was the result of a short kickoff. Pheteau had a leaping interception and Trevor Fritz and Ty Kirk finished this one off by taking interceptions into the end zone.
"Defensively we just got after it," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps.
"Not bad," said defensive coordinator Tony Wolanski.
The understated way Wolanski viewed it might be best. After all, Meadows already learned a valuable lesson about everything looking so good after seven straight victories and a No. 1 state ranking in Class 7A.
"It seemed like at the beginning of the season we knew we could be really good and we were working hard," said senior quarterback Ben Sabal, who offset a tough 6-for-20 night passing with some rugged running for 90 yards and a score.
"After we beat Prospect (10-7 in Week 6) we plateaued there. It seemed like we were kind of going through the motions a little bit … and going off talent."
And it showed when the Mustangs didn't show up with the same intensity or inspiration as a BG team battling for its playoff life.
"Everything about that game was weak," Pheteau said. "We came out flat and after that game we swore it wouldn't happen again."
That was the case Saturday as Notre Dame quarterback Zach Abraham might swear he saw more than 11 guys in Meadows jerseys on defense.
Sophomore Jimmy Garoppolo, Joe Okon and Mikal Johnson put Abraham on his back four times for double-digit losses in yards.
Paul Hames, Rick Brown and Kelly Jauch added to the defensive pressure. Versatile Kevin Serna, Scott Wenzel and Mick Viken helped make sure there was little room for receivers to roam.
"Our defense really came together," Jauch said.
And now is where the Mustangs will really need to stay together. The BG loss made the road tougher -- instead of a second-round home game they have to go to Lake Zurich.
But a trip to Bear Country to face last year's 7A state runner-up is fine with a team that appears to have regained its edge.
"We have a chip on our shoulder with people always saying we're not as good as our record is," Pheteau said. "Everyone is always doubting us … but I know we have a great bunch of guys and a great team.
"I wouldn't want to be playing us."