Streamwood beats Elgin for first win
It was a very odd night for football at Millennium Field in Streamwood Friday night. Not only was it unseasonably cold for Streamwood’s last Upstate Eight Conference River Division home game of the season vs. the Elgin Maroons, it was also the Sabres’ homecoming due to a schedule that stacked 3 of their first 4 home games in the first month of the season.
The game itself took longer than three hours to complete wand after a combined 71 points scored and 20 penalties, the Sabres came away with their first win of the season, 41-30.
In the first half Streamwood (1-7, 1-5) dominated. Senior quarterback Mason Polich (8 of 14, 162 yards, 3 TDs, 10 carries, 53 yards, TD) worked the field like a general. He opened the game with a 71-yard touchdown pass to Cole Segar and the Sabres never lost the lead.
The Sabres also were stout on defense in the first half. Senior Brett Brogan put up double digit tackles for a unit that only let up 54 yards rushing on the evening.
“It comes down to making the right reads. (Brogan) had a good game because he made good reads and flew to the football. When you do that, you will have success”, said first-year Streamwood coach Mark Orszula.
Streamwood also had a very potent and efficient running attack, mounting 288 yards of total rushing offense. The main load was handled by sophomore Travius Brown, who rushed for 177 yards on 25 carries and had a touchdown to show for it.
“Travius is doing all the right things,” Orszula said. “He works hard, busting his butt every day and he is working hard in the weight room.”
Elgin (0-8, 0-6) came out looking much livelier in the second half. After trailing 35-8 after the first, the Maroons outscored Streamwood 22-6 in the second. While the run game was stagnant, Elgin QB Ryan Sitter showed off the cannon that is his right arm. Sitter went 18 of 41 for 230 yards, 2 TDs and an interception. However, the stats do not show the whole story, as Elgin had three touchdowns called back on penalties in the second half which is something coach Kyle Rohde wasn’t very happy with.
“I think we had three or four touchdowns called back,” Rohde said. “That is a result of inconsistency when it comes to playing hard on every play. Sometimes you get out of position and make a bad decision and it costs the team. It’s consistency on and off the field as well. Attendance to practice, not doing the work in the classroom; it’s more of the same.
“We have the 11th ranked team in the state (Batavia) next week and I hope that we can be more consistent.”
Sitter also added a touchdown on the ground to go with 32 yards on 6 carries. Jordan Smith also had a nice game for the Maroons with a receiving touchdown and a rushing score. Johnny Higgins was the other Maroon who found pay dirt on a 20 yard TD pass from Sitter.
For the Sabres, Noah Polich caught 5 passes for 43 yards and 2 TDs. Segar caught a touchdown and had an interception on defense. Colin Tatone also added a touchdown on the ground as well.