Schaumburg busts Maine South's streak

Schaumburg believed it could be the team that finally ended Maine South's two-year unbeaten run.

And with Shepard Little running with a vengeance in his first game back after missing last season, the Saxons went out and made a major statement before an overflow opening Friday night crowd at Gary Scholz Stadium.

Little rushed for 244 yards on 33 carries and the Saxons' defense shut down one of the state's most feared offenses as they stunned the two-time defending Class 8A state champions and ended their 28-game winning streak with a 29-17 victory.

"Everybody in our locker room believed," said Little, whose 3-yard touchdown run with 7:06 left in the third quarter put the Saxons ahead to stay at 15-10.

"It was the most confident we've ever been," said senior nose tackle Joe Zolper, who set the defensive tone with the first of his 2 sacks on the game's first play. "We were so pumped for this team. Tonight we played to our fullest."

Linebacker Josh Marchok was also a big part of the defensive effort and had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs. Quarterback Mark Iannotti was 10-for-11 passing for 80 yards and his 7-yard touchdown run for a 29-10 lead got the celebration rolling with 1:25 to play.

Maine South lost for the first time and scored its fewest points since it fell to Mt. Carmel 21-14 in the 8A quarterfinals in 2007.

"We played as a team and that's why we won," Marchok said after the Saxons allowed only 255 total yards.

"We talked to the kids and said, 'What an awesome opportunity,'" said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling. "How many teams in the country get to play a team with a 28-game winning streak? Our kids embraced the opportunity."

Schaumburg took a 9-0 lead on Marchok's first touchdown and 32-yard Adam Syvertsen field goal. But Maine South, which switched quarterbacks Jimmy Frankos and John Alviti each series, responded like champions.

Paul Preston ran for a 4-yard touchdown 2:44 before halftime. And after Little lost a fumble at his 23 on the first play of the second half, Marcus Nelli's 33-yard field goal put the Hawks up 10-9.

"I don't think there was ever a doubt on the sidelines that we could do it," said Marchok, who combined with Pat Felde and Kyle Koburi to keep the Hawks out of the end zone. "Our offense is one of the most explosive offenses ever with Shep breaking 60-yard runs at the drop of the hat.

"When they went up 10-9 we thought, 'OK, give our weapon the ball."

Little ripped off a 50-yard run to set up his go-ahead touchdown. After Eric Carlson recovered a fumble at the Schaumburg 3, Little's 61-yard jaunt set up Marchok's second touchdown and a 22-10 lead with 10:19 left.

And the offensive line of veterans Nick Nykaza, Jon Moore and Kyle Pollock and recent injury-related additions in freshman Matt Zolper and junior Mike Baumhart just kept getting stronger.

"We came out and executed everything," Little said. "The O-line paved the way."

Felde, Marchok and hard-hitting safety Bob Quilico turned away Maine South again at the Schaumburg 35.

Alviti threw a 36-yard touchdown pass with 46 seconds left as Schaumburg's defense stepped up after allowing 64 and 52 points to Maine South the last two seasons.

"They're a great team but we beat ourselves," Alviti said.

And Schaumburg knew this wasn't an ordinary season-opening victory.

"I love big challenges and love going up against big offensive linemen," Joe Zolper said. "It's a better victory against the two-time state champs."