Fitzpatrick, Barrington run by Fremd
Barrington's Dillon Fitzpatrick doesn't mind working on Saturday.
Even when he has to work twice as hard.
Fitzpatrick carried a career-high 36 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns as Barrington outlasted Fremd 13-7 in the traditional Saturday afternoon homecoming in Barrington.
"I m just a little tired," said Fitzpatrick, who toted the rock 23 times in the second half.
"But it is all in day's work. It was a good win. They just kept giving me the football and I just kept running."
Barrington (5-0, 1-0) needed every one of Fitzpatrick's carries to remain unbeaten.
"I was proud of the boys," Barrington coach Joey Sanchez said. "We went from a short week to a long week and our ability to stay focused and prepare. We did just enough. You are not going to blow everyone out and you are going to have to nickel and dime your way through."
They also needed a solid defensive effort, especially with just under a minute to play.
Josh Peipert dragged down Fremd quarterback Johnny O'Brien a yard short of a first down at Barrington's 37-yard line. O'Brien, who is a sophomore, had scrambled seven yards on a 4th-and-8 play.
"We do a swarm drill In practice where everyone tries to run after the guy," Peipert said. "That was what was going through my mind. And I caught him."
Barrington looked like they would run over Fremd early.
With Fitzpatrick operating behind Dylan Balsis, Owen Fors, Julian Saavedra, Bryan Galovich, Nathan Cook and Joey Chen, Barrington was on the march midway through the first quarter. The Broncos rambled 11 plays and 83 yards with Fitzpatrick scoring on a five-yard run to make it 7-0.
Fremd responded with a drive of their own. They went 79 yards on 15 plays and were aided by a pair of O'Brien completions and a pass interference penalty. Luke McIlhom crashed over from the one and it was 7-7 midway through the second quarter.
Barrington and Fitzpatrick seemed to get back on track to begin the third quarter.
The Broncos drove from their own 20 down to the Fremd five-yard line. Fitzpatrick was then ruled just short of the end zone after converting a first down.
The Broncos failed on the next three plays as Fremd's defense stiffened. To make matters worse for Barrington, they missed a field goal that could have put them in the lead.
Barrington was able to convert on its next possession. Fitzpatrick capped a 65-yard drive just moments into the fourth quarter to take a 13-7 lead. The conversion was blocked, opening the door for Fremd.
Barrington's defense, led by their front of Devan Van Ness, Soran Leah, Vaughn Werner, Cole Slater and Justin Blauss, pressured O'Brien most of the game. Still, the sophomore made big throws, including one late in the fourth quarter that was dropped on what could have been a sure touchdown for the Vikings (1-4, 0-1).
Fremd had another opportunity late in the game as the Vikings moved down the field thanks to a pair of 15-yard penalties on the Broncos. But the drive ended when O'Brien just came up a bit short.
"It was a good fight," Fremd coach Lou Sponsel said. "We have to continue to get better and that's what we will do. But at some point we need to learn how to win games. That's the thing we need. We have to have players step up and make plays when they are there."