Prospect runners punish Niles North

After a Week 1 win over Hinsdale South, Prospect coach Mike Sebestyen said he knew people would ask why the Knights were running the ball so much.

But he explained he had the offensive line and backfield to be successful on the ground.

Never was that more clear than Friday night at George Gattas Memorial Stadium in Mt. Prospect.

For the first time in Sebestyen's 18 years in the program as a coach, the Knights produced three 100-yard rushers in one game.

And two were from the same household.

Sophomore running back Michael Shafis scampered for a career-best 169 yards while his brother Andrew, the senior quarterback, gained 107 to help Prospect produce a wire-to-wire 44-13 triumph over visiting Niles North and coach Mike Garoppolo, the brother of New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Even the Knights' junior class had a 100-plus rusher as Brandon Onori showed his elusiveness with 142 yards and a 27 yard TD run that included a beautiful cutback move at about the 15-yard line.

"We knew they would have eight or nine guys in the box but we still moved the ball," Sebestyen said. "I've got to be happy with that."

The Shafis' mom had be quite happy watching both of her son reach the end zone multiple times.

Andrew scored TDs on 25, 1 and 29 yards in the first half while Michael scored 6 points with 31- and 27-yard runs in the third quarter.

"She (Carol) loves it. she really does" Michael said. "It feels great for me, too. Our offensive was great and it felt great to win because we still had last week's game (49-7 lost at Barrington) on our minds and didn't want to feel that pain again."

"For now, Michael has braggings right in that household," Sebestyen said with smile. "This might be the only time he'll be able to say that."

With linemen such as Billy Matzek, Vince Shields, Brennan Keane, Evan Sadlon, Alex Palczewski, Oliver Pagano and Sam Stolidakis helping to pave the way this season, the Knights (2-1) enjoyed their biggest rushing numbers on Friday with 404 yards.

"That's a testament to the O-line doing the job, and coach (Tim) Beishir doing a fantastic job to get those guys to pull together," Sebestyen said. "And to the running backs staying on their feet and keeping plays alive."

The Knights' defense was alive and kicking, too, getting a fumble recovery from Joe Doyle and an interception from senior Josh McDermott.

"The key was just everyone doing this job," said Doyle, a senior defensive lineman who was in the Niles North backfield for tackles on more than one occasion. "I was just staying true to my position, trying to stay smart and keep my head up. Everyone paid their hearts out."

Sebestyen credited senior kicker Jack Pruban with the being the team's first defensive weapon all night. He booted eight kickoffs into the end zone or further for touchbacks.

"He's the first play of our defense," Sebestyen said. "Jack is a Division I place-kicker. If any D-I program has any sense it will give him a scholarship immediately. He is a rare special talent and a special weapon for us."

Andrew Shafis threw one pass and completed it for 41 yards to Chase Cummings, setting up Onori's TD run on the next play.

"Prospect played well tonight," said Garoppolo, whose team is 0-3. "They ran the ball well as they always do and they had a good game plan."

Prospect's defense had given up a TD on the first play in week one and the second play last week.

"We put a ban on that," Sebestyen said. "We said no one could give up a touchdown on the first two plays of the game. If you did, you were banned and put on the sidelines."

Garoppolo is on the sidelines for his first season as the Vikings head coach.

"He's good young coach," Sebestyen said the former Rolling Meadows outside linebacker and tight end who played at Western Illinois. "And his team plays very hard."