Playoff-type performances nothing new
Performing under playoff-type conditions is familiar territory for Fremd and Rolling Meadows.
And the two Mid-Suburban League football teams with the longest current postseason streaks put on a drama-filled, November-type show on a beautiful end of summer Thursday night in Palatine.
And if Fremd's 21-20 victory is any indication, both teams will continue their trends of playing beyond the regular season.
"They're a really good team," Fremd junior quarterback Richie Concialdi said of Meadows. "They're tough defensively and they played really well."
Fremd hung tough and showed why it's a win away from being eligible for its 15th straight playoff berth.
When the break came - an extra point off the upright with 7:21 left - the Vikings were ready to take advantage.
"One of the best things about this particular group is we never give up," said Fremd senior safety-linebacker Jayme Szafranski. "Regardless of how many points we're down or how bad we're playing."
Both teams traded three-and-outs and Fremd faced a third-and-5 at its 47 when Concialdi and Szafranski hooked up for a first down. And Concialdi didn't get down after Billy Payne got a shot to start and played the first half.
"I was ready to go," said Concialdi, who started the first three games. "I knew we were going to win. I knew we could do it."
Two plays later, Evan Wright raced 40 yards for a touchdown and Kevin Schaeffer's extra point gave the Vikings their first lead.
"When I saw Evan run I said I hope we didn't score too fast," Fremd coach Mike Donatucci said of leaving Meadows' Jimmy Garoppolo 1:49 to work with.
Garoppolo had already put on a spectacular show of scrambling and making things happen. But Szafranski, playing his hybrid defensive position, came up with two deflections and a clinching interception.
But Meadows, which just missed beating Barrington and Fremd on the road, also showed it has what it takes to go from 2-2 to a seventh straight playoff berth.
"I told you these kids can play," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps. "Now we have to find a way."
mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com