Garoppolo makes a big return for Rolling Meadows
What a difference a week made for Rolling Meadows' football team.
The Mustangs welcomed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo back to the starting lineup Friday after missing last week's 21-0 loss to Conant with a sore neck. Garoppolo delivered exactly what the Mustangs needed, a Mid-Suburban League crossover victory.
Garoppolo had his hand in all 4 Meadows touchdowns in their 27-17 victory at Barrington in the Broncos' home opener.
He completed 19-of-31 passes for 277 yards and touchdown passes of 53 and 33 yards to Tony Taibi and 4 yards to Marius Salkauskas. Garoppolo also carried the ball 21 times for 77 yards and a 17-yard touchdown.
"We know this, if he's not there, it's tough to win," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps of his senior quarterback. "He's a big-time player, and I think people will recognize it. He has some special tools."
"He's a difference maker," Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said.
Garoppolo's favorite target against Barrington was Taibi, who caught 9 passes for 192 yards. The two have been friends for years, and it was evident they were on the same page.
"On the second one, I went to the back of the end zone, and he threw a perfect ball," Taibi said of Garoppolo, who was forced to scramble out of the pocket.
"We've been best friends and have great chemistry," Garoppolo said. "I know where he's going to be."
Barrington quarterback Terrance Terry (8 carries, 111 yards), scored twice in the second half to pull the Broncos (1-2) within a field goal in the fourth quarter. He scored on a 12-yard run in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 20-10, and later sped down the right sideline for a 65-yard score, making it 20-17 with 10:33 left.
Garoppolo answered by driving the Mustangs (2-1) 65 yards in 12 plays to put away the game away with a 4-yard pass to Salkauskas with 4:48 left.
"We made too many mistakes in critical situations," Sanchez said. "We've got to keep getting better."
The Mustangs intercepted Terry three times, including a deflected ball that junior Colin Buscarini tipped to himself and nearly returned for a touchdown. He also was credited with a 12-yard gain when he advanced a teammate's fumble.
"How often does a lineman get the ball?" Buscarini said of the risky move that paid off with a first down.
The Broncos' rally from a 17-point deficit pleased Sanchez.
"We fought the whole time," Sanchez said. "When we were down 20-17, we needed a stop, and we couldn't finish it. At that point, it was the difference in the game."