Elk Grove perseveres, prevails at Buffalo Grove
With a chance to end a 14-game losing streak, it came down to fourth-and-goal from the 2 for the Elk Grove football team Friday night.
Senior running back Peter Green took a handoff to the left and plunged into the end zone in overtime, and Bobby Giatras made the extra point for a 21-20 victory.
"I was just thinking get into the end zone any way I could," Green said, "either over the line, or through it. I depended on my O-line. I depended on everybody to block for me, so it is really a team effort.
"I saw a wide open hole thanks to my O-line and I just tried to push through."
Things looked pretty bleak for Elk Grove in the final five minutes of the Mid-Suburban League East game as Buffalo Grove drove into the red zone twice, including setting up a first-and-goal from the 7, but the Bison couldn't capitalize.
The Elk Grove defense held strong with there backs against the wall, forcing field-goal attempts on both possessions which Buffalo Grove couldn't convert.
"I am just proud of the way our boys finally fought for four quarters and sustained it to the end," said first-year Elk Grove coach John Sigmund, whose team improves to 1-4.
With a little more than three minutes left, Elk Grove had another obstacle, as it needed points trailing 14-7. With a bit of trickery, Elk Grove made up the deficit.
Running back Chuck Fleming hooked up with Joe Gatziolis for 50 yards on halfback pass to tie the score at 14.
"(I don't throw the ball) much other than outside of practice," Fleming said. "It's normally just messing around. I am just tossing the ball around to a couple of guys. Normally it's nothing too serious.
"Coach always tells me to give it a really good fake, and with Joe out there, you just throw the ball out there and he will get anything."
On the first play of overtime, the Grenadiers again had their back against the wall as Buffalo Grove quarterback Trey Cervantes found Jimmy Trieb for a touchdown. The Bison, however, were unable to make the extra point as the kick went wide left.
Elk Grove entered the game without leading rusher Azeez Alabi. Sigmund declined comment on the reason of his absence, but seniors Green and Fleming managed to carry the load. Green ran for 111 yards while Fleming added 82.
Gatziolis added 68 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns, including a 10-yarder from AJ Lorenz for Elk Grove's first score.
Buffalo Grove (1-4) had a strong passing game as well, with Nolan Fortman finishing with 8 catches for 64 yards, including a touchdown from Cervantes. Cervantes also had a touchdown throw to Zack Sheasby.
"We had our opportunities to win, "said Buffalo Grove coach Mike DiMatteo, who once served on the same coaching staff with Sigmund at Glenbard West. "You can't be in the red zone three times and come away empty, and we did."
Points were hard to come by as both defenses stepped up. Buffalo Grove had sacks by Justin Gold and Eddie Walker. Elk Grove forced 3 turnovers, including an interception by Elyjah Rivera.
"What an unbelievable win," Fleming said. "Our defense really kept us in the game. Our offense struggled early. Our defense stayed with it through the whole game. Our defense didn't give up. Our offense really came out in the end and did what we needed to do."