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Offensive line helps power Propsect to victory

Walking the halls at Prospect High School last winter, second-year coach Dan DeBoeuf spotted Micah Sahakian, a 6-foot 6, 295-pound junior at the time.

"I said, 'Who the heck are you?'" DeBoeuf said. "'How come you're not playing football?.' And he goes, 'I'd love to (play),' and the next day he started."

Less than a year later, the talented saxophone player is helping Prospect strike all the right chords early in the season.

The right guard joins Sebastian Swistak, Matt Pankauskas, Armen Surenian, Micah Sahakian, Sam Tsagalis and Eric Malinowski on the Knights' offensive line.

They helped pave the way for Prospect's skill players in a 51-0 romp past visiting Niles West on Friday night at George Gattas Memorial Stadium in Mt. Prospect.

"Micah has been a great addition," DeBoeuf said. "When he met with me in the winter he said he was all-in, and he didn't miss one workout all season. And it shows. He's really a special player."

Sahakian, who had never played football, has a 4.2 GPA and 30 ACT score.

"He's off the charts, a really smart kid," DeBoeuf said. "He is great saxophone player. He plays for the guys, and he is very talented." Unlike their past two wins when they were down at half, the Knights (3-0) never trailed in this one.

"The really big thing with these kids is how they deal with adversity," DeBoeuf said. "Even trailing at half in our first games, they never doubted or blinked an eye."

It seemed as if in a blink of an eye that Gary Moeller threw 2 touchdown passes on almost identical crossing routes to Matt Meyer for 22- and 34-yard touchdowns in the game's first 5 minutes.

More big plays followed as the Knights enjoyed one of their biggest quarters in program history, leading 35-0 after 12 minutes.

"Man, it's a pure joy blocking for these guys," Sahakian said. " When you see them out there making plays like that, it motivates you more.

"I don't see them when I'm blocking, but I see the end when Meyer is pointing his finger up in the air. That's when I see it. I'm glad to be out there blocking for them, they look great."

In all, the Prospect offense passed for 235 yards and rushed for 145. Moeller was 8 of 9 for 195 yards (5 touchdown passes), while Luke Zardzin carried 4 times for 70 yards.

"I would have liked to have Luke get a few more touches, but we were able to get a lot of guys the opportunity to carry the ball, so that was exciting for the team," DeBoeuf said.

"Obviously, we wanted to score fast so our junior-varsity players could get in and see what it's like to play on Friday nights," Sahakian said. "We're going to have a good week of practice now and get ready for Highland Park, We'll study film and we're going to get after it, looking for 4-0."

Niles West (0-3) was looking at a lot of fourth downs against a stingy Knights defense that was led up front by Miki Mihov, Chandler Dorado, Jack Friedrichs, Matt Cassaidy and Max Helpern.

Cassaidy, Kris Bohnen and Friedrichs all had fumble recoveries. Friedrichs returned his for a 31-yard TD.

"They may not be the biggest guys, but they all play with a lot of heart," DeBoeuf said.

Matt Brzys booted all 7 extra points, and Ryan Traviolia had an interception for the Knights.

"Prospect is fundamentally sound," Wolves coach Matt Hohs said. "They're very technique driven, and they're aggressive, too."

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