Rolling Meadows, last team in playoff field, knocks out Addison Trail

Rolling Meadows football coach Devonte Amos offered a simple message to his team this week.

“Enjoy every single moment,” said Amos, a 2017 Rolling Meadows graduate who participated on three playoff teams during his time as a starting wide receiver.

Following a 2-7 regular season, the Mustangs nervously awaited their postseason fate last weekend before learning they received the 384th — and final — state playoff berth.

Now, they are celebrating for another reason following their 34-26 Class 6A opening round upset of No. 10 seed Addison Trail (6-4) Friday night in Addison.

“Last week, we were really down after Elk Grove (a 20-19 loss),” said sophomore tailback Ryder Smialowicz, who carried the ball 31 times for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the Mustangs snapped a four-game losing streak.

“This week, we got pumped up after finding out we made the playoffs and we brought the energy back.”

After the Blazers (6-4) tied the game at 14-14 on Michael Clementi’s five-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, the Mustangs (3-7) answered with a six-play, 42-yard drive capped by quarterback Gavin Prickett’s 23-yard touchdown pass to Luke Harvey following Damien Ortega’s fumble recovery of a muffed punt for the go-ahead score.

The Mustangs added some breathing room with a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns — a three-yard plunge by Smialowicz, and an eight-yard pass from Prickett (15 of 24, 180 yards, three touchdowns) to make it 34-14 with 4:09 remaining.

While the Blazers responded with a pair of touchdown tosses from Robert Morales to Louis Franczak (four catches, 134 yards), their last-minute onside kick attempt was recovered by the Mustangs’ JT Cummings to seal the decision.

“I told these guys at halftime that we’re putting blinders on and focusing on the second half to finish the game,” said Amos, whose team ran for 220 yards behind offensive linemen Noah Brickman, Angel De La Cruz, Carlos Rugliancich, Jacob Kilker, and Michael Calderon.

“I’m proud of the way these guys competed. Being 2-7 and the last team to make the playoffs, and to come out and play the way they did makes me very proud. We challenged the guys up front because we felt like we could run the ball on them.”

Harvey added 32 yards rushing while catching six passes for 57 yards, while tight end Aiden Gallucci had three receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown.

Now, Rolling Meadows will return to practice and prepare to visit No. 7 Wheaton North (6-3) in next weekend’s first-round clash.

“Two weeks ago, we were supposed to be done and look at us now,” said Amos. “We’re enjoying this.”