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Buffalo Grove (4-0) rolls by Niles North

The big 4-0.

It could be something that one doesn't really look forward to, as when a certain birthday comes and you decide you'd rather just stay 39 forever.

But when you're a football team the big 4-0, as in 4 wins and no losses, sounds, as Larry David might say, pretty, pretty, pretty good.

That's the way Buffalo Grove has started this 2021 season after Friday night's 67-17 win over visiting Niles North.

The Bison rushed for 10 TDs in the contest.

What sounds pretty good as well is that the Bison will be able (hopefully) to continue on and play a full season after last spring's pandemic-shortened campaign.

The playoffs and state series is back on in 2021, and now Buffalo Grove is already close to qualifying for a postseason berth.

"It's a great feeling to start like this," said BG coach Jeff Vlk, "especially being our home opener. We were on the road for three weeks."

The Bison left no doubt that it would be a good night for the home team on Senior Night right off the bat.

The first two plays of the game set the tone as BG defenders Brian Oberman and George Shiakallis made tackles behind the Niles North line for big losses.

The defensive effort ignited the Bison offense, which scored 5 rushing touchdowns in the first half. Two came from quarterback Michael Cervantes, one from Cole Nixon and two more by Scott Murray.

One of Murray's jaunts came from 49 yards out.

BG kept the pressure on after halftime. Leading 35-10, the Bison scored twice in the first two minutes of the third quarter on long runs by Nixon and Cervantes.

Murray scored again late and two fourth-quarter touchdowns by Mitchell Verdico accounted for the final score.

"One of the hardest parts from last year, " said Vlk, "is that we had a really good team. We were 5-1, and I wish we could have seen what they could have done in the playoffs.

"Those guys felt a little shortchanged last year but this group is building momentum off last season. We lost some great seniors but we've got great senior leadership this year as well and we're excited by that."

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