Waukegan holds off Maine West in overtime
Waukegan coach Nick Browder got a bit emotional as he watched his players race to the sidelines after Saturday's game against Maine West to sing the school fight song with their fans.
"I'm happy for these kids," said Browder. "I've had to watch them sing a couple of times after losses, so it's nice to see them sing after a win."
A win that was well-deserved as the Bulldogs, led by quarterback Reggie Richter's 4 touchdown passes, outlasted visiting Maine West 34-33 in overtime at Weiss Field in a Central Suburban League crossover football thriller.
Richter's 8-yard touchdown pass in OT to Quentin McKnight and the point after by Richard Hernandez proved to be the difference as the Bulldogs (1-2) claimed their fist win of the season.
Maine West (1-2) scored a touchdown in overtime as well but a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play led to a missed extra point.
"I have to give all the credit to coach Browder and coach (Cameron) Campbell," said Richter after he threw for 147 yards on 13-for-18 passing. "The coaches have been taping our practices this year and they've allowed me to watch the tapes and correct my mistakes - and I guess I brought (the results) to the field today."
Maine West running back Calvin Williams had a monster game, rushing for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns on 32 carries.
"I'm proud of our kids," said Maine West coach Chris Hare. "In the first half we took it to them and our defense made some big plays, but in the second half we got a little stagnant.
"They (Waukegan) are an athletic, fast team that can hit."
Waukegan scored in the first half on a 25-yard pass from Richter to Juwan Tiller and a 5-yard strike to Connor Morrill. The Warriors countered with touchdown runs from Williams of 2 yards and quarterback Ziggy Krycka from 4 yards.
After another Williams TD run put West in front early in the third quarter, Waukegan took the lead back on a Richter scoring pass to Kyle Williams (24 yards) and a 1-yard plunge by Darien Green - then the Bulldogs' defense came alive.
Led by linebacker Aaron Carr and defensive lineman Emilio Montejano, Waukegan held Williams in check in the second half.
"We turned it up," said Carr. "We've been working hard in practice and we came out sticking in the second half."
A late touchdown run by West's Krycka and 2-point conversion forced overtime, where Waukegan got the ball and scored first.
Krycka converted on West's chance with a 9-yard scoring pass to TJ Helin, but the officials threw a flag after the play and that moved the ball to the 18-yard line for the point after try. The Warriors' 34-yard attempt for the tie was just wide left.
Green finished with 91 yards on 17 carries for Waukegan while wide receiver Williams caught 5 balls for 73 yards and a score.
"If this kick-starts our season and we run the table and go 7-2," said Richter, "then I'd call this the biggest win of the year."