Prospect ‘takes care of business’ in victory at Elk Grove

Final score: Prospect 54, Elk Grove 7

Records: Prospect 5-0 overall, 1-0 in the Mid-Suburban League East; Elk Grove 2-3, 0-1

Player of the game: Prospect running back Matthew Donnelly. The senior rushed for 110 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns (seven, six and five yards). He also had a pair of receptions for 16 yards as he paced a Knights offensive attack which found paydirt on their first six drives of the first half in the Mid-Suburban East opener for both teams in Elk Grove Village Friday night.

Other statistical leaders: Prospect QB Jackson Cacini was 13-26 for 117 yards and two touchdowns passing with one touchdown rushing. Wide receiver Henry Koziol had two receptions for 25 yards and a score while defensive back Caden Moran had two interceptions. Elk Grove RB Christian Hernandez had 13 carries for 56 yards, and QB Michael Washburn was 5 of 8 for 57 yards and a TD.

Turning point: After Donnelly's first touchdown got the visitors from Mt. Prospect on the Haskell Memorial Stadium scoreboard, the host Grenadiers took their opening drive from their 20 to the Prospect 28 before turning it over on downs. The Knights followed with their second score on Cacini's nine-yard TD toss to Koziol for a 14-0 advantage from which it never looked back.

First-half highlights: The visitors also benefited from Moran’s first interception which he ran back 53 yards to set up a short field. The offense turned that into Donnelly's third touchdown jaunt from five yards out which gave them a 28-0 lead.

They next took advantage of a muffed Grenadiers kick return that Prospect pounced on at the home team's 5-yard line setting up Cacini's second TD toss to Matthew Collins from that same spot two plays later for a 35-0 advantage with 4:26 left until halftime.

Second-half highlights: The Grens, who dropped their third straight decision after a 2-0 start, finally found the endzone as backup signal-caller Michael Washburn found Colin Redmon from 22 yards out with 6:23 to play.

X-factor: After going 4 of 7 for 49 yards on their opening drive, Grens starting QB Luke Maher completed just four more passes.

Quote: "In these (division) games our main focus is staying 100% focused and locked in with our teammates," Donnelly said. "(Offensive coordinator Tim) Beishir talked to us about not playing down to our opponents. That's the big thing for us."

"Every victory in high school football is hard-earned and our kids really worked hard," Prospect coach Dan DeBoeuf said. "I'm proud of how they came here and took care of business. It's another opportunity for us to get better and see what we can do."