Wheeling 'D' gets it done

Wheeling head coach Dave Dunbar made a statement about his team's performance on Friday night without saying a word to reporters after the game.

He did so by deflecting all questions to defensive coordinator Brian Hauck after the Wildcats' 24-0 victory over host Elk Grove in Mid-Suburban East action.

"You've got to give the kids credit, they did a real good job," Hauck said. "Definitely a workmanlike effort."

Turnovers plagued each team as the Wildcats and Grenadiers gave the ball away four times apiece.

According to Hauck, the biggest difference in the game was Wheeling (4-2, 2-0) was able to capitalize on some of the opportunites while Elk Grove (1-5, 0-2) wasn't able to do so.

"Tonight our kids hung in there and just stuck with it, stuck with the game plan we worked on all week and eventually we were able to come out on top," Hauck said. "It was a good victory that way."

Another big difference was that Wheeling had three big offensive plays that contributed to, or resulted in, scores.

The first came on the Wildcats' first offensive play, when quarterback Matt Holmes (7-for-13, 93 yards) connected with wide receiver James Kurtz (5 catches, 84 yards) for a 47-yard touchdown.

The second came when running back Brendon Pozniak (6 carries for 64 yards) broke free for a 42-yard run to Elk Grove's 1-yard line. That drive resulted in a Matt Holmes field goal.

And the third big play was a 50-yard run by running back Leo Hicks (14 carries for 105 yards) to set up another touchdown pass between Holmes and Kurtz.

"Probably one of the most talented teams in the skill positions that we've played all year," Elk Grove coach Tom Whalen said of Wheeling. "We knew they were going to get their plays, and I thought our defense played phenomenal."

Those big Wheeling plays resulted in too large a change in field position for the Grenadiers to recover from, but Whalen was still happy with the defensive effort put forth by his team.

"I'm proud of the unselfishness out there and guys playing for each other," Whalen said. "That's, right now, the best team in our side of the conference, so, we'll see what happens."

Elk Grove just could not get much done offensively, mainly because of the Wildcats' pressure. Grenadiers' sophomore quarterback Nick Meyer was only able to complete 8 of his 24 pass attempts for 93 yards.

And Elk Grove senior running back Jake Meyer was only able to muster 53 yards on 17 rushing attempts.