Just too much Maine South for Barrington
Barrington couldn't do what 11 other teams had trouble with this season.
Slow down the potent Maine South offense Saturday night.
Vanderbilt-bound quarterback Charlie Goro threw for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran 32 yards for another score as the Hawks put up 35 first-half points in a 42-0 Class 8A quarterfinal win at Barrington Community Stadium.
"We didn't take care of business early, and that killed us," said Barrington senior center Erik Zentner.
"We practiced well all week, and we came out stoked - but they came to play as well. They're a very good team."
Maine South (12-0) running back Matt Perez (7 carries, 82 yards) rushed for a touchdown from 17 yards and returned a punt 83 yards for another as the Hawks put Barrington in a hole by scoring 21 points in the first quarter.
"We came out fast," said Goro, who was 19-for-26 passing for 254 yards and rushed for 65 yards, "and took them out of the game - then our defense took care of business. They played well the entire game.
"To pitch a shutout in the quarterfinals is as good as it gets."
Goro connected with Joey Orlando (6 catches, 63 yards) on a 16-yard strike and passed 30 yards to Sam Chwarzysnki for his other touchdown pass, while Hawks senior Corby Ryan ran 32 yards for a score.
Barrington (9-3) had some chances in the first half thanks to big plays but couldn't capitalize.
The Broncos drove to the Maine South 26 early in the second quarter when Daniel Evers hauled in a 48-yard bomb from quarterback Cody Seeger, but after a penalty were forced to punt.
Then later in the period senior running back Sam Ojuri (15 carries, 90 yards) raced 54 yards to the Hawks' 19, but 3 plays later Seeger was intercepted in the end zone.
Barrington safety Brett Seeger's interception and return to the Hawks' 39 went for naught as well.
"We kept our heads up," said Barrington senior wide receiver Rodney Brown, who hauled in 2 of Cody Seeger's 8 completions. "We had a very emotional week, but everyone came out and played hard. Maine South is a really good team and my hat's off to them."
"I'm so proud of my teammates," added another Broncos senior linebacker Cam Good. "We did not give up. If this was going to be my last game, I didn't want to go out with any 'what ifs.'"