Meadows has winning mix

Rolling Meadows' football team used some youth and some experience in its 41-14 victory at Wheeling on Friday night.

Sophomore quarterback Jack Milas led the offense with 8-of-12 passing for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Mid-Suburban East opener.

Senior linebacker Sean Connor led the Mustangs defense with 10 tackles and 2 assists. Three tackles were for losses.

The win improved the Mustangs record to 3-2 and 1-0 heading into next Friday's showdown against visting Prospect.

"We're rapidly improving," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps. "We had a very good energy level in practice this week.

"(Jack) Milas was only making his second start on the varsity. He threw the ball and he made good reads. His play really gave us a boost."

Garrett Peterson returned after missing two games with a conucssion and put the Mustangs on the board when he finished a 60-yard, 5-play drive for a 7-0 lead on a 6-yard run with 8:02 left in the first quarter. Milas had the big play on the drive with a 27-yard pass to Artie Checchin (2 catches, 62 yards) on first down follwing a Wildcat punt.

Following a second punt, a 60-yard drive culminated with Milas' 35-yard scoring pass to Checchin and a 14-0 lead.

Peterson (15 carries, 97 yards) raced in from the Wildcats' 13 with 6:47 left in the half for a 20-0 lead.

Connor, Andrew Peters, and Colin Buscarini held Wheeling (1-4, 0-1) in check for most of the first half until Ed Scanlon scored on a 3-yard run with 39 seconds left to cut the lead to 20-7.

Buscarini did not play in the second half because of a right knee injury.

"We had to go back to Meadows' defense," said Connor. "We had to be physical with them. I read my keys pretty well tonight and I was ready to go. It's really crucial to show leadership to the younger players on the team"

Meadows put the game away in the third quarter.

Kevin Cwynar caught a 49-yard touchdown pass from Milas on the second play of the third quarter for a 27-7 lead.

Following John Putz' fumble recovery at the Mustang 25, Milas found Ryan Gundersen all alone down the right sideline had hit him with a 72-yard scoring pass and a 34-7 lead.

Kyle Batiz caught a 16-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Brady (8-for-18, 61 yards) early in the fourth quarter to trim the lead to 34-41.

Reserve running back Tyler Bobowski scored from the Wheeling 18 later in the quarter.

"I really don't have much to say," said Wheeling coach Dave Dunbar. "Let's just say Rolling Meadows played well and we didn't."

Wheeling could account for only 129 yards of offense to the Mustangs' 388.