Barrington stays focused on the present

At 2-4, Barrington is hardly thinking postseason.

"We're just trying to get better," quarterback Terrance Terry said Saturday after guiding the Broncos (1-1 in the Mid-Suburban West) to a 21-14 homecoming win over visiting Conant (2-4, 1-1). "We're not thinking about the playoffs," he said. "We're just thinking about the next game."

That's because Barrington has to win all three remaining games - one at a time, of course - to even have a whisper of a chance at the playoffs.

Can the Broncos win out?

They'll have their first answer against Palatine next Friday. For now, "We just want to get this thing rolling," said Terry.

And they did Saturday, accumulating 368 yards in total offense, an uncharacteristic 160 for them on Terry's passing, including touchdowns to Chase Murdock and Ed Tilly, each for 34 yards, for a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

Murdock turned a short pass into pay dirt with nifty direction changes, while Tilly took in a perfectly arched long ball in stride.

"Give them credit - I didn't expect them to throw the ball vertically," down the field said Conant coach Bill Modelski, who added he almost didn't recognize his own team as it fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter.

"We had to be able to throw the ball just enough to keep them honest," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez.

That worked well enough to loosen up the defense and enable Murdock (19 carries, 114 yards) to lead Barrington to a 160-yard rushing performance.

"I really don't know what was going on in the first quarter," said Modelski. "I'm disappointed how we started the game down 14-0."

But the Cougars clawed back. Rushing master Kyle Klosowicz, the area yardage leader, helped the Cougars battle back on a 17-carry, 105-yard afternoon, including a 9-yard TD jaunt to tie the score in the third quarter.

"We knew he was going to get his yards," said Sanchez.

But the Broncos defense pretty much bottled up Conant otherwise. Dan Johnson had an early pick to lead to a Broncos score and Conant only gained 81 yards passing on 7 completions. Outside of Klosowicz, the Cougars had just another 42 yards rushing.

And they definitely had the missed opportunity of the game as Rico Prestia missed Klosowicz downfield on a flea-flicker that had Barrington completely fooled and could've been an easy touchdown. But the pass rush of Barrington's front seven may have had something to do with hurrying that throw and several others. Joe Geraldi and John Focosi kept the heat on while Nick Pisani, Ryan Schmittie and Brad Seeger kept the receivers pretty well blanketed.

Barrington's winning score came on sophomore Murdock's 3-yard run on the possession following Conant's tying touchdown, a good response by the Broncos on a 74-yard, five-and-half-minute drive in 11 plays.

So, what's it like to be back in the win column, Barrington?

"It feels awesome," said a beaming Terry after the game. "We're not letting up."

Especially if they want to qualify for the - shhh ... say it softly, now - playoffs.