Pirates try for win fails

A lot happened in the final 1:06 of Friday night's football opener between Lake Forest and host Palatine.

The host Pirates were lining up a tying extra-point kick after a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Matthew Rossi. But the Scouts took a timeout to ice kicker Andrew Peterson, who had made an earlier attempt.

A moment later, the block sailed to the sideline with the Pirates going for 2 points and the win.

But the ensuing pass was picked off by Lake Forest's Jonathan Sobinsky to preserve a 14-13 victory at Chic Anderson Stadium.

Although possession changed three times in the final minute, the score didn't as the Scouts kick off 2007 with a win.

"We went for the win," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "I thought we had the momentum."

The Pirates (0-1) did have the momentum. That touchdown was the result of a 79-yard drive that included 6-of-6 passing by Rossi for 44 yards.

"That's high school football. Sometimes you make those, sometimes you don't," Donnelly said. "I would do the same thing — maybe a different play — but I'd go for it again if I had that chance."

Palatine's first score came in the third when Nicholas Busch caught a 2-yarder from Rossi to make it 7-0.

Lake Forest scored both of its touchdowns in a span of just 3 downs.

To end the third quarter, quarteback James Borrasso threw a 31-yard pass to Robert Jackson.

After the kickoff, the Pirates took possession to begin the fourth. Then Lake Forest's Ryan Konsler intercepted the first play to set up Gregory Friedman's 15-yard run to the end zone.

"My hat's off the Lake Forest. They did a nice job," Donnelly said. "They responded when they needed to."

The Palatine defense held strong the rest of the game.

"The defense played outstanding. They had that tenaciousness we talk about," Donnelly said. "We've just got to get the ball into the end zone."

Rossi finished the game 12-of-24 passing for 91 yards while Daniel Sutton rushed for 47 yards on 14 carries. Busch collected 49 yards on 6 passes.

"Those kids played their rear ends off — I'm proud of every one of them," Donnelly said. "They did a nice job tonight, we just didn't get it in in the end."