Buffalo Grove hungry for playoff payoff

Buffalo Grove's first winning football season since 2002 was not entirely satisfying.

Four losses by a total of 19 points - including one in overtime - left the Bison lacking the necessary playoff points to make the 256-team field with a 5-4 record.

That left the Bison with a bitter taste as they are still craving their first postseason berth since 2003.

"It's definitely made the kids hungry," said third-year BG coach Jim Farrell. "It was disappointing because we thought we played well enough to get in.

"The kids are looking forward to this year and that was kind of fuel for them."

And it will power some of BG's top returnees such as Division I quarterback prospect Mike Garrity and linebacker Tyler Juckett.

The Bison were 5-2 but Rolling Meadows pulled a 26-19 second-half comeback and Elk Grove won 14-7. Their other losses were 14-13 in overtime to Barrington and 28-24 to Palatine.

"We have a lot of guys back who played in tight games," Farrell said. "That should help us out this year."

Which the Bison hope will finally get them back in the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Farewell to Rantoul: Prospect coach Brent Pearlman said spending 56 days of his life with his football teams in Rantoul made it seem almost like a second home.

Prospect started making its summer trips to Rantoul in 2001 when it won the first of its three state titles. This was the last time for Pearlman since he is stepping down after this season.

"It was sad leaving," Pearlman said. "All of the stuff that happened in Rantoul - there were some great memories from down there."

Pearlman said the Knights' approach to Rantoul was a little different this summer.

"The last couple of years it was like a major celebration and I felt like we left our best days behind us.

"This year we purposely left low-key and that was good."

Stampede of support: The sixth annual Barrington Stampede food drive will begin Aug. 20 during the football program's scrimmage games in the school stadium. Anyone donating five non-perishable food items or $5 will receive a "Red Zone" T-shirt.

Donations for T-shirts can be made at the scrimmages (freshmen at 5 p.m., sophomores at 6 p.m. and varsity at 7 p.m.), on Aug. 26 during lunch or at the 7 p.m. pep rally or on Aug. 27 during lunch or at the season opening home game with Libertyville.

The Barrington Stampede helps promote Broncos Care, the service organization of the football team, school spirit, sportsmanship and community involvement.

MSL in Cincinnati: Two Cincinnati Bengals players and one prominent member of the front office have Mid-Suburban League ties.

Second-year safety Tom Nelson (Hersey) is currently on the active/physically unable to perform list with a knee injury. Nelson played 12 games last year with three starts and had an interception for the AFC South champions.

Rookie offensive guard Otis Hudson (Barrington) made his professional debut in Sunday's Hall of Fame game. Hudson was drafted in the fifth round out of Eastern Illinois.

Director of player personnel Duke Tobin quarterbacked Hersey to the Class 6A state title in 1987.