Rolling Meadows streak stays alive

Three weeks ago Rolling Meadows was on the brink of missing the playoffs for the first time in six years.

The Mustangs record stood at 2-4 after a tough loss to Prospect and one more meant they'd be on the outside looking in.

"Just like the '04 team," said Meadows junior quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. "It was the same situation. I had two brothers on that team and they both told me, 'you gotta believe.'"

Friday night at Buffalo Grove, it was believe and achieve for Meadows after a 22-17 Mid-Suburban Eastwin gave it 3 straight victories and a another berth in the postseason.

"When I came here 12 years ago I was told that if we could make the playoffs they'd elect me mayor," said Meadows coach Doug Millsaps, "so to have a run like this at such a great community school is an unbelievable acheivement for this team.

"Even after the Prospect game (a 42-7 loss), I told these guys that there's no place I'd rather be than here with them."

Garoppolo (9-of-17, 183 yards) threw 2 first-quarter touchdown passes (39 yards to Steve Orchell, 42 to Mick Viken) to stake Meadows to an early lead, but Buffalo Grove countered with a 21-yard scoring strike from J.P. Kulick to Josh Hampton.

The teams traded third-quarter touchdowns (a 5-yard off tackle run by the Mustangs' Daquan Edwards, and a 42 yard burst by Kevin Mulligan of the Bison) to set up Meadows' fourth-quarter defensive heroics.

Meadows (5-4, 3-2) turned BG away three times in the final 12 minutes, the biggest stand coming on fourth-and-1 at the Mustangs' 29 when Hampton was stopped for a 2-yard loss.

"What a great play," said Garoppolo. "The defensive line got a push when they needed it and the backers filled."

BG (3-6, 1-4) had one more chance when it took over on downs deep in its own territory but after a clutch sack by Meadows linebacker Devin Daily, the Bison elected to take a safety and try for an onside kick with a minute left.

BG had opened the game with a succesful onside kick, but Meadows covered up this one and ran out the clock.

Garoppolo ran for 75 yards for RM while Edwards rushed 10 times for 40 yards.

Mulligan finished with 96 yards on the ground for BG, Kulick passed for 168 yards and Bison receiver Matt Stadler grabbed 12 passes.

"Early in the year," said Daily, "we were struggling in the fourth quarter. Today everyone stepped up at the right time and made the plays."