Jacobs outlasts McHenry

In a game where there 91 points were scored and over 1,000 yards of total offense rolled up, it is ironic a defensive play was the key to victory.

Here is the scenario.

McHenry marched to the Jacobs 3-yard line facing a fourth-and-goal with 13 seconds left in the game. Warriors quarterback Kyle Snedeker fired a pass into the end zone intended for Korey Partenheimer, but Jacobs sophomore defensive back Ryan Sargent broke up the pass to preserve the Golden Eagles’ exhilarating 49-42 Fox Valley Conference Valley Division win over McHenry in Algonquin Friday night.

“The last play was just a total adrenaline rush,” said Sargent. “The pass was high so I knew I had to get a hand on the ball.”

Jacobs coach Bill Mitz praised Sargent’s effort.

“We made an adjustment and Ryan made a great play,” said Mitz. “Our defense stepped up when it had to.”

Jacobs (3-1, 1-0), which has been primarily a passing team the first 3 games, relied on a punishing running game to pull out the victory.

The Golden Eagles, who ran the ball 63 times for 360 yards, were led by senior fullback Steven Varela, who toted the pigskin 37 times for 169 yards and 4 touchdowns. He scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown on a 3-yard run with 1:36 remaining. The senior back also reached pay dirt from 7, 4 and 5 yards.

“After last week’s disappointing loss (56-21) to Grayslake North, coach stressed in practice that we were going to play mean, physical punch mouth football. The offensive line played great tonight,” Varela said.

Senior back Greg Sidor added to the Golden Eagles’ ground barrage with 94 yards on 14 carries while junior quarterback Bret Mooney ran 8 times for 80 yards and scored on runs of 11 and 15 yards. Mooney also tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Jake Dziewulski.

Snedeker was outstanding in defeat for the Warriors. He completed 17-of-22 passes for 291 yards and threw 2 touchdown passes to Korey Partenheimer of 49 and 32 yards.

McHenry (2-2, 1-1), which amassed 510 yards of total offense (219 rushing, 291 passing) got a 120-yard effort on the ground from John Kostantelos. The senior scored from 11 yards out in the third quarter.

“The kids played with the heart of a Warrior,” said McHenry coach Dave DeAngelo. “We have come from behind all four games this season, but the kids won’t quit. “