They're catching on at Palatine

Winning in impressive fashion is catching on at Palatine.

And it sure helps when you have a couple guys catching passes like Jose Munoz and James Silveira did Friday night.

Munoz, a senior, grabbed 9 balls for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns, and classmate Silveira, back from injury, had 6 receptions for 99 yards as Palatine defeated visiting Hersey 56-14 in a Mid-Suburban League crossover.

It was the second straight running-clock victory for Palatine and the first time the Pirates (3-1) have opened the season by winning 3 of their first 4 games since 1997.

"This was exciting - what a great atmosphere," said Munoz of the win before a large, boisterous home crowd.

Munoz had touchdown catches of 9 and 48 yards on passes from quarterback Matt Rossi, the latter a circus catch falling backward into the end zone. Silveira scored on a 37-yard run to complement his receiving effort.

It was the first game this season Silveira has felt comfortable, coming back full time against the Huskies after missing the first two games and much of the third with a broken toe.

"I played last week (against Elk Grove)," said Silveira, "and (the injury) was really nagging me - but tonight it felt amazing."

It was running back Jack Hansen (125 yards on the ground on only 9 carries) who got Palatine off to a hot start, rushing for 3 first-quarter touchdowns, including a 74-yarder.

Hersey countered on Steve Nelson's 71-yard TD scamper up the middle, but Munoz scored his first touchdown and Rossi ran in from 4 yards out to give the Pirates a 35-7 halftime lead.

"We came out firing," said Munoz. "We were all on the same page."

It was more of the same for Palatine in the second half as Silveira ran for a TD on a direct snap from center, Munoz grabbed his second touchdown and Christopher Norman ran around right end for a 47-yard TD.

And the Palatine defense, despite losing linebacker Ryan Cortez early in the game to a back injury, limited Hersey to just one more score, a second-half 6-yard touchdown pass from Nelson to Kyle Mengarelli.

Nelson led Hersey (0-4) with 173 yards rushing. Rossi finished 20-of-29 for 287 yards through the air.

"Matt has a great arm," said Munoz. "His passes are picture perfect, and he has a lot of confidence in himself - and confidence in us."

"When I come out of my break," added Silveira, "I know the ball is going to be right there."