Rolling Meadows stands and delivers big win

A goal-line stand as time was expiring in the first half inspired visiting Rolling Meadows to take control of its Mid-Suburban East battle at Elk Grove on Friday.

The Mustangs (4-2, 2-0) blanked Elk Grove in the second half and came away with a soggy 12-3 victory, spoiling the Grens' homecoming festivities.

Elk Grove (4-2, 1-1) was in position to add to a 3-0 lead as time was winding down in the second quarter. When quarterback Nick Meyer (7-of-16, 106 yards) hit Mike Wary with an 8-yard pass, the Grens had first-and-goal at the 1 with 35 seconds left.

Meyer's sneak was ruled short of the goal line and sophomore Artie Checchin threw Meyer for a loss on second down as time expired.

"Defensively, we dominated the line of scrimmage all night," Meadows coach Doug Millsaps said. "That (stand) took the momentum away from them and gave it to us in the second half."

On the other side of the field, the Elk Grove sideline thought Meyer had scored.

"We knew he was in," Grens coach Brian Doll said. "The referee said he couldn't see, and you can't call what you can't see. It was a judgment call.

"We can't complain, but it hurt us," Doll said. "It was a different game if that goes our way."

In the second half, Meadows held Elk Grove scoreless and didn't allow a first down.

The Mustangs took the lead with 2:58 left in the third quarter when Jimmy Garoppolo (27 carries, 90 yards) capped an 8-play, 38-yard drive with a 1-yard sneak.

"In the second half, the whole team played smash-mouth football," Garoppolo said.

"We ran out of dry footballs," Millsaps joked.

The last Meadows touchdown came on an 18-yard pass from Garoppolo to Scott Schewmon with 9:23 left in the game.

The weather took away both teams' long passing games, but Garoppolo finished with 15-of-23 for 128 yards. Checchin was his favorite receiver with 8 catches for 66 yards. He also intercepted a pass in the second half.

"The way they were defending us allowed Artie some opportunities," Millsaps said. "Tonight was his night."

Elk Grove broke a scoreless deadlock when Matt Brandt kicked a 37-yard field goal 6:34 before halftime.

In the second half, Meadows had the field position advantage. Garoppolo punted twice, forcing Elk Grove to start one drive from its own 1 and another from the 5.

"We tried to give Jim at lot of different looks," Doll said. "Our kids did a good job defensively. To hold them to 12 points, we should win the game."