Gonzalez, Antioch recover against Waukegan

Defensive players are taught to fall on a fumble to secure possession.

Luckily for Antioch, defensive back George Gonzalez was not about to lie down.

On the Sequoits' first defensive play against visiting Waukegan, Gonzalez scooped up a fumble and scrambled 24 yards into the end zone just 16 seconds into the game.

From there Antioch relied on scrappy play to defeat the Bulldogs 25-14.

"It was a big thrill for me," Gonzalez said. "I saw the pitch and ran up, and the ball was on the ground so I just picked it up and ran. Everyone was really pumped up."

The Sequoits (2-0) looked to take Waukegan (0-2) out of the game early as they added another first quarter touchdown on a 31-yard run by Vinnie Holm.

Following the Holm touchdown, Waukegan's defense tightened up and was able to force two first-quarter turnovers, the second of which led to a touchdown run by Mark Jones from 10 yards out.

And fortunately for Antioch, linebacker Sam Emanuelson was just getting warmed up.

The junior was able to get penetration multiple times and disrupt the Bulldogs offense.

"It's absolutely important to get that kind of pressure," Emanuelson said. "The defense really came together as a whole tonight."

Aside from recording multiple tackles for a loss, Emanuelson also had a forced fumble.

"He's got so many natural gifts," Antioch head coach Brian Glashagel said. "He's very nimble for a 240-pound kid."

As nimble as Emanuelson may be, he and the Sequoits had no answer early in the third quarter when quarterback Reginal Richter found Jaleel Atta on an inside slant pattern that went for a 77-yard touchdown. Atta had 3 catches in the game for 120-yards.

The Sequoits' defense once again buckled down and forced two fourth-quarter turnovers on interceptions by Gonzalez and linebacker Zach Epker.

"Tonight the defense had to step up and win the game," Glashagel said. "We've given up some big plays but we haven't had anyone really earn a drive on us."

Sequoit running back Dan Arden recorded his second straight 100-yard effort with 18 carries for 107 yards, while Holm followed close behind with 86-yards and a pair of touchdowns.

As a team, the Bulldogs were only able to gain 180 yards total offense on the Sequoits defense including just 51 yards on the ground.