Warren rides past Mundelein

It was homecoming for Mundelein as it hosted Warren on Friday night, and after an ugly first half, it seemed the hottest thing on the field was the smoking volcano float that was paraded around.

But with Warren leading 12-0 at the half, the Blue Devils decided to contribute, in their own way, to the festivities.

"Definitely a rollercoaster ride," Warren coach Dave Mohapp described the game after his 27-7 win, "I'm very happy we had a defense tonight."

Even with Tom Lindal (20 carries, 108 yards) and his 2 touchdowns in the first half, Warren missed an extra point kick and failed on a 2-point conversion. Add a handful of holding penalties to complete the slow ascent to the top of the ride.

Then, just 1:34 into the second half, Warren linebacker Jim Savage pushed the ride over the drop and started the excitement with a 38-yard interception return off Mundelein QB Gabe Leppert.

"I read the bubble screen and had it defended," Savage explained. "Luckily it was tipped up in the air and I just snatched it."

It was Savage's first touchdown on defense.

"I didn't know how to react," giggled Savage, "so I just ran to the sideline and celebrated."

That touchdown gave Warren (3-2, 2-1) a 19-0 lead and the momentum, as the defense forced two more turnovers, including an interception by Alex Jimenez and another by Ryan Halley with three minutes left that brought the coaster into the station. Halley also recovered a fumble in the first half.

Savage is feeling very positive about his team right now.

"We started the year slow and were playing very selfish," Savage explained. "But now we are molding together and starting to play Warren football."

The loss was not without a bright spot for Mundelein. Running back Pablo Mata (9 carries, 118 yards) gave the Mustangs faithful reasons to cheer.

"It's nice to have a performance on a night like this," shrugged Mata, "but we still lost."

With Mundelein (0-5, 0-3) trailing 27-0 with nine minutes left in the game, Mata got the Mundelein fans off their feet with an exciting 40-yard touchdown.

"I suggested that play to the coaches at half," Mata said. "Warren just wasn't flowing to the right side on that play all game."

"There is a lot of misdirection in their offense and it is hard to defend," Mohapp said of Mundelein, "They really play hard and are better than their record."

For the second week in a row, Warren's running game was really all the offense it would need. In addition to Lindal's big game, running back Nolan Sordyl (19 carries, 118 yards) continued to produce as well.