Buffalo Grove runs to win; Meadows still alive in playoff hunt
The running men paced their way to another win Friday in Buffalo Grove.
The Bison (7-1, 3-1 Mid-Suburban East) piled up 282 rushing yards on their way to a 35-7 win over Wheeling in a game that Buffalo Grove did not break open until the fourth quarter.
"We have really committed to option this season," Buffalo Grove coach Jeff Vlk said. "It has always been part of our offense, but even more this year."
Scott Murray (14 carries, 90 yards) had a 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Jacob Pond had a 9-yard TD run in the second quarter as the Bison led 14-0 at the half.
Murray tallied his second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter on 9-yard run as the lead increased to 21-0. Wheeling (1-7, 0-4) tried to fight back when Brandon Roman threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Joe Mitroi to cut the margin to 21-7 with 5:57 to play.
Michael Cervantes and Buffalo Grove were then able to put away from the feisty Wildcats. Cervantes, who rushed for 170 yards on 19 carries, had touchdown runs of 42 and 27 yards to close it out for the Bison.
"There just weren't enough possessions in the first half," Vlk said. "The third quarter was ugly and the fourth quarter we turned it on."
Rolling Meadows 41, Elk Grove 13:
Evan Grace threw 5 touchdown passes as Rolling Meadows (4-4, 2-2) kept its playoff hopes alive. The Mustangs will need to win at Prospect (7-1, 4-0) next week to become playoff eligible.
Rolling Meadows bolted to a 21-0 lead as Grace (10-of-13, 198 yards) threw touchdown passes of 3 yards to Ethan Groark, 31 yards to Mike Brigham and 14 yards to Ashton Bond.
Elk Grove (2-6, 0-4) made things interesting thanks to a pair of rushing touchdowns by Jacob Elsner from 6 and 2 yards out. The latter touchdown came with 5:54 left in the first half to cut the margin to 21-13.
It was all Meadows from there.
Sam Englund had a 1-yard touchdown run just before the end of the first half. Grace and Groark (4 receptions, 84 yards) connected on a 62-yard touchdown pass and then Grace found Brigham (2 receptions, 59 yards) on a 28-yarder slant pass for the final score. Skip Rozanski had 93 yards on 16 carries for the Mustangs.
"I have been very impressed with Evan's growth this year," Rolling Meadows coach Sam Baker said. "He's had some first-year starter mistakes but he's very coachable and learns from it each week."
Mt. Carmel 42, St. Viator 7:
St. Viator's playoff chances ended quickly as state power Mt. Carmel (6-2) rolled to 35 consecutive points at Forest View. St. Viator (3-5) was able to break through with six minutes to play on a touchdown run by freshman Dayvion Ellis. St. Viator can salvage its season next week when the Lions play for the CCL/ESCC Purple Division title against St. Patrick.
Niles North 48, Maine West 6:
Maine West struggled with Niles North (4-4, 3-1 CSL North) in Skokie. Maine West (2-6, 1-3) scored its lone touchdown on a 14-yard pass from Conor McAndrews to Jason Hidan.
Leyden 28, Addison Trail 7:
Leyden (3-5, 2-3 West Suburban Gold) came up with a pair of touchdowns in the second and third quarters to cruise past host Addison Trail (0-8, 0-5). Damian Salazar (3 receptions, 56 yards) had a 33-yard touchdown catch from Leo Latiker.