Elgin secures Jug, winning record on regular season with win against rival Larkin
Final score: Elgin 62, Larkin 14
Records: The playoff-bound Maroons finished the regular season at 5-4, 4-2 in the Upstate Eight, while the Royals dropped to 0-9, 0-6.
Player of the game: Elgin tailback Anthony Foster ran for 261 yards and four touchdowns in just over a half. The senior accomplished all that with just 15 carries. His 74-yard run on the first series of the second half made the score 55-14 and ended his night.
Other statistical leaders: Quarterback Jacob Rufino completed 12 of 17 throws for 147 yards and two scores. Ja’Miere Moore had 3 catches for 56 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a score. Larkin QB Brian Watson went 13-for-20 passing with two TDs. Elgin’s defense recorded six sacks and two interceptions while holding the Royals to 15 yards rushing.
Turning point: Elgin’s five-touchdown second quarter broke the game wide open. The Maroons led 48-14 at halftime, assuring that the Town Jug would remain on the east side for another year.
First-half highlight: The Maroons scored three times in the final 2:55 of the first half. LaMarin Powell scored on a 44-yard run right up the middle. After Larkin answered with a Walsh touchdown pass to Pedro Vargas, Elgin got a long kickoff return and needed just two plays to score. Foster took it in from 33 yards out. Then, after a Jayden Edgar interception and long return gave the Maroons great field position, Rufino found Luis-Angel Hernandez in the end zone as time expired.
Second-half highlight: With Elgin facing second and 19 on its own 26-yard line to start the second half, Foster rambled around the right side and took it to the end zone, breaking tackles along the way.
X-factor: Ray Haley Field. For the first time in the history of the crosstown rivalry, the Royals hosted a true home game. After previously sharing Memorial Field with Elgin, the Royals showed the east-siders their sparkling new on-campus stadium.
The quote: “It’s just a great feeling coming out here and just being able to beat our rivals on their field and bringing the Jug back to Elgin,” Foster said.
The quote part II: Foster wasn’t too concerned with his personal statistics. “I was just trying to go out there and do what it took for us to win.”
The quote part III: Elgin coach Anthony Mason was hopeful that the win would secure the Maroons a home playoff game when the seedings are announced Saturday night. “We want to make sure that we hopefully get a good draw by the IHSA. Hopefully, we get a home game. Hopefully, we can be one of the next 16 and get an opportunity to play at Elgin High School at Memorial Field.”