Bartlett wins on Dobek's boot
After a 1-2 start to the season, a playoff berth was still uncertain for the Bartlett football team let alone a shot at the Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division title.
However, a late field goal from kicker Ian Dobek lifted the Hawks to a 25-23 victory over Neuqua Valley on Friday night at Millennium Field in Streamwood. Bartlett is now in the driver's seat, needing a win over East Aurora next week to earn the league title.
The Wildcats (5-3, 3-2) had taken their first lead of the game at 23-22 with just 4 minutes left in the game as quarterback Jeff Samuel threw a 20-yard touchdown strike, but the Hawks (6-2, 4-1) responded with a strong drive to set up the 36-yard field goal with 36 seconds remaining.
"My coaches work with me, and we work on pressure kicks in practice," Dobek said. "It was a nice snap, nice hold, nice blocking and I knew it was good."
Dobek, who also kicked a 24-yarder before halftime for a 15-7 lead at the break, failed on the Hawks' first two extra point attempts of the game.
But Bartlett coach Tom Meaney had confidence and elected to kick instead of go for a first down on a fourth and inches attempt.
"He came through when it counted," Meaney said.
Dillon Strack opened the second half with an 85-yard kickoff return to pull the Wildcats to within 15-14 and grab some momentum, but the Hawks answered right back as Andrew Puccini returned the ensuing kick 95 yards for the score.
"Everyone was kind of down on the sideline after their return, but that kind of lifted us," Puccini said.
Bartlett quarterback AJ Bilyeu (6-for-9, 155 yards) threw a 53-yard touchdown pass to Zach Karys and a 63-yard TD pass to Russell Martin for a 12-0 lead in the first quarter.
Joey Scaminaci also got into the passing attack with a 41-yard pass to Aaron Thabuteau on a fake punt.
On defense Kevin Kirchoff had a great goal line stop on fourth down late in the third quarter.
Demetrius Coleman also recovered a pair of fumbles, and Martin grabbed an interception on the last play of the game.
"All three phases came to play," Meaney said.
Samuel added a 53-yard TD pass in the first half, and Ryan Mulhern kicked a 36-yard field goal for the Wildcats.
"Our 3 losses were just like that," said Neuqua Valley coach Bryan Wells.
"We made too many mistakes. We're going to come back at it next week though."