Buffalo Grove responds to extra challenge

It was a game deserving of an everything-or-nothing finish.

Buffalo Grove and Barrington slugged their way to a 7-7 score when four quarters had expired. After Broncos' quarterback Terrance Terry's 1-yard sneak, and the ensuing Brendan Lesniak extra point, gave Barrington the lead in overtime, the Bison had their chance to deliver that type of finish.

BG quarterback Mike Garrity (19 rushes, 109 yards) provided his own overtime touchdown run, his from 7 yards away, but the Bison would not be playing for another extra session.

Garrity's 2-point conversion pass did not hit its mark, though, and Barrington emerged with a 14-13 Mid-Suburban League football crossover win Friday at BG.

"We were going to play for one overtime," BG coach Jim Farrell said. "We were going to try to win in one overtime. We just got to come out and make the 2-point conversion."

For the Broncos (1-1) defense, there was excitement when it saw BG's offense come onto the field after Garrity's overtime run instead of the extra-point team.

"We couldn't wait," linebacker Joe Geraldi said. "We live for that."

Barrington lost by 1 point in its season opener, and coach Joe Sanchez said it was huge for his team to rebound with a close win.

"Last week, we didn't know how to finish as a team," Sanchez said. "We had chances in all three phases and we couldn't finish and tonight we did. We did what we were supposed to. I'm just really proud of our kids tonight."

Terry had both Barrington touchdowns in a well-rounded game. He rushed for 57 yards on 15 carries and passed for 112 yards while completing 10-of-24 attempts.

"It feels great to win, and get the first victory out of the way," Terry said. "It's the first of many more, hopefully. We're starting to click. We're scratching the surface of where we could really be this season."

Also turning in a solid game for the Broncos was sophomore running back Chase Murdock, who rushed for 101 yards on 20 carries and had a 40-yard reception.

It was Barrington's defense that was strongest though. After allowing an 85-yard touchdown run by Garrity in the first quarter, Buffalo Grove (1-1) managed just 122 yards of offense.

"Our motto this year is to start fast and finish strong," Geraldi said. "If adversity comes our way, we keep our heads up. We keep going and we keep fighting."