West Chicago handles Elgin, improves to 3-2
What a difference a year makes.
After a dismal 1-8 record in 2022, West Chicago improved to 3-2 this fall with an impressive 28-6 win over host Elgin in Upstate Eight Conference action at Memorial Stadium Friday.
It was Homecoming for the Maroons. The Wildcats haven't been 3-2 since 2014.
"We are trying to change the culture since we went 1-8 in our first year," said second-year West Chicago coach Adam Chavez. "We are heading in the right direction. This was our best defensive effort since I have been here."
The stingy Wildcats defense held the Maroons (1-4, 1-4) to 62 yards rushing and 7 first downs.
Chavez likes the fact his offense scored on the first drive of the game and the first drive of the second half.
"It is important to start the game with a score," said Chavez. "We want to set the tone to start each half."
Vince Mucci, who scored 3 touchdowns and gained 127 yards on 13 carries, gave the Cats an early lead with a 1-yard TD with 6:23 left in the first quarter.
To start the second half, the Wildcats chewed up 6 minutes and 25 seconds capped by a 1-yard run by Mucci.
"Last year's 1-8 record was hard to take," said Mucci. "Everybody is working hard in the weight room and in practice and all the hard work is translating to the field. It is a lot of fun. The chemistry is awesome. Our goal is to make the playoffs. We want to make the community proud of us."
West Chicago, which gained 233 yards on 33 carries, also got 45 yards on 6 carries and a 3-yard TD run from Robert Lee.
Diego Contreras had a fumble recovery caused by a jarring hit from David Weber.
"Weber had a great hit and I was in the right place at the right time," said Contreras. "We played hard and tough on offense."
The Maroons' lone score came on a 40-yard pass from Darin Ward to Lamyni Spates with 3:20 left.
"We will never give up but we have to prepare better and play harder," said Elgin coach Anthony Mason. "We have been down too long we need to have a positive reaction from this game."