Maine West firepower stifled

Minutes after a disappointing 21-0 loss to Highland Park, the stadium lights were shut off and Maine West athletes and fans crowded around the abandoned field to enjoy a brilliant fireworks display that had been postponed three weeks ago.

As the last sparkler faded into the darkness, so too did the Warriors' 2010 season.

"Highland Park's a heck of a team," Maine West coach Chris Hare said after the Central Suburban North loss. "They never let up."

Highland Park's defense held Maine West (2-7, 1-4) to just 94 yards of total offense, but wasn't immune to errors. Both teams were plagued by penalty calls, each ending the game with 11.

The Giants (5-4, 4-1) were able to capitalize on the Warriors' miscues, however, pounding out a superb performance on the ground. Highland Park finished the game with 231 yards rushing. Leading the attack with 126 of those yards on 17 carries was junior running back Nate Echt.

"I just had a will to run," Echt said.

And run he did, all the way to the Giants' fifth win of the season. In a game that went through serious lulls, big bursts by Echt provided the spark that carried the Giants through until the end.

Along with Echt's stellar rushing game on the offensive end, the Giants got a big performance on the defensive side of the ball from senior linebacker Josh Katlin. His interception late in the fourth quarter all but sealed the victory for the visiting Giants.

"With such a small crowd and a long bus ride, it was hard to have a lot of energy," Katlin said. "But we knew that if we didn't pull this one off, we wouldn't make the playoffs."

After finishing the regular season over the .500 mark, the Highland Park coaching staff is confident that their team will continue onto the playoffs.

But for Hare's squad, this final loss on the Warriors' senior night was the end of the road for 22 upperclassmen.

"This was a tough one," Hare said. "But this loss was a real character builder. We never quit, we kept fighting. At the end of the game, it's just that - a game. And I couldn't be prouder of my guys."

In his final effort as a Warrior, senior quarterback Ziggy Krycka led Maine West's offensive charge with 86 yards passing.