Plenty of highlights on MSL tour

Maybe it wasn't the brightest idea considering gas prices.

But I decided not to worry about that and see if I could make it around the world of Friday night Mid-Suburban League football in about 180 minutes.

The plan was in place and it was best to start at Barrington's sparkling new stadium for its visit from Buffalo Grove. Barrington equipment man extraordinaire Chick Lange offered some bug spray - fortunately I was already ahead of him on that - and head coach Joe Sanchez wished me luck and safe travels.

At 7:36 p.m., Barrington kicker Ryan Murach nails one of his patented deep kickoffs and its stifling defense forces a three-and-out. Sam Ojuri then breaks 3 tackles on the way to an electrifying 48-yard run and Cody Seeger finds Kevin Crowley in the end zone.

After Barrington's defense holds again, it's off to the car and Palatine. Fortunately there's a spot relatively close and I walk in just in time to see Matt Rossi loft a perfect 48-yard touchdown pass to Jose Munoz for a 27-7 lead on Hersey.

Rossi then races into the end zone to cap a 75-yard drive and it's off to the car again. Next stop is Wheeling and its game with Hoffman Estates.

Get there and the band is performing its halftime routine as Wheeling is up 20-3. Catch up on what's happening with director of student activities Steve May and hoops coach Lou Wool as Hoffman comes out and puts together a drive to try and get back in the game.

But Matt Splon makes a huge defensive play as he wrestles away a pass near the goal line to give the ball back to the Wildcats. A couple of plays later, quarterback Matt Holmes pitches to Weston Ross and he turns the corner and races down the left sideline for an 80-yard touchdown and 26-3 lead.

Now I'm racing - hardly at breakneck speed - to the car again. So far, so good as every game has had some excitement.

But time is also starting to run out a bit with three more stops left. Next is Rolling Meadows for its battle with Fremd.

Bob Frisk is keeping me updated on what's going on with Meadows clinging to a 7-6 lead heading to the fourth quarter. It's a bit of a haul from Wheeling but fortunately there's a decent parking space not too far from the field.

Which turns out to be amazing because the crowd at Meadows on this perfect night is equivalent to what you'd see for a state playoff quarterfinal. Both sides are packed and huge groups of people are milling around everywhere.

Meadows is still ahead with 7:40 left but Fremd is threatening between two teams used to these high-pressure games. On third-and-9, Mike Tauchman hits Andrew Corso for 28 yards to the Mustangs' 15.

Meadows' Tom Davidson comes up with a huge stop for a loss and Fremd is in its fourth third-and-long situation of the possession. Tauchman then delivers the ball deep down the middle between two defenders and Corso makes a wonderful leaping grab in the end zone for the decisive score.

Now it's off to Conant, which has become Schaumburg's home away from home as it faces Prospect. Drive by and see the Saxons are leading 34-26 and there's still 1 minutes left in the third quarter.

Time to audible. Figure I can get back and catch the end of this one so it's off to Elk Grove for its rivalry matchup with Conant.

But I pull into the parking lot just as the Cougars are finishing off their 20-13 victory. Maybe I should have left one place a little earlier, but going 5-for-6 isn't too bad.

So it's back to Conant, where it's definitely odd to see Schaumburg on the home sideline and in the home stands. And it's also a bit surprising to see the Saxons now romping 47-26 with about six minutes left.

But neither team is done. Peter Bonahoom scores for Prospect. Then Shepard Little caps a huge night as he dives into the end zone to give the Saxons a whopping 54 points in their third straight win.

Schaumburg basketball coach Bob Williams smiles and says "a lot" when asked how many TDs for Little. Williams checks his out-of-room stat sheet and its four scores and 241 yards on a pretty big night for Little.

Even Saxons' demanding offensive coordinator Mark Steger smiles and knows it won't be easy to come up with things - although he will - to find too upsetting after this offensive show.

"Every single time we have to be confident," said Schaumburg offensive lineman John Mejia, "and go out with the demeanor to try and to dominate our opponent. That's our goal."

And maybe next time I try this I'll reach my goal and go 6-for-6.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com