Milas, Meadows finish winning East effort
The most impressive pass of the night thrown by Rolling Meadows quarterback Jack Milas didn’t even show up as a completion in the stat column.
But it was still a sight to behold.
With the clock winding down in the first half at Grant Blaney Stadium in Buffalo Grove, Milas fired a ball that travelled about 60 yards in the air — on a line, like it was shot out of a rocket — that just missed connecting with wide receiver Matt Dolan for a touchdown.
“I looked up and I was surprised that the ball got to me in the back of the end zone,” said Dolan. “Jack’s awesome.”
And awesome is how the Mustangs (7-2, 4-1) felt after their 48-21 win over the Bison gave them a share of the Mid-Suburban East title, something that had been a goal for Meadows since Day 1 of the season.
“From the first practice of summer,” said Dolan, “working hard in the sun, trying to get better every day — it all led up to today.
“We just wanted to come out here tonight and do what we’ve been doing all year, and get the win.”
It was another rock-solid performance from Milas, who completed 15-of-22 for 253 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“To set a goal at the beginning of the year,” said Meadows coach Matt Mishler, “and then to acheive that goal is a tremendous accomplishment, especially such a lofty goal as winning the East. It’s not easy to do.”
The victory didn’t come as easily as the score suggests. Buffalo Grove excelled in the running game, rushing for 291 yards led by quarterback Andrew Apel (18 carries, 145 yards) and running back Scott Smithern (18-108).
Apel scored all three of the Bison (1-8, 0-5) touchdowns on runs of 41, 17, and 2 yards.
“I’m extremely proud of the way we played tonight,” said the junior QB. “Everything we’ve been waiting for finally clicked. We were in control of the things we could control.
“It’s been kind of a down year, but we’ve been working hard and we wanted to come out tonight and have fun and do what we do best.”
Milas connected on scoring strikes to Dolan (6 yards out), running back Steven Royster (7 yards), Austin Reed (26 yards), and 31 yards to Andre Campbell on a spectacular diving grab.
Royster also scored on rushes of 2 and 13 yards, while backup quarterback Bobby Suchecki connected from 21 yards out to Dolan for the Mustangs’ final touchdown.
“I told our offense that I wanted them to come out and play as crisp as they’ve been all season, and show that they’ve been getting better and better,” Mishler said. “I think they were pretty crisp tonight.”