Elk Grove downs Prospect
Averaging 37.5 points in the Mid-Suburban East this season, Elk Grove’s offense got a lot of attention from Prospect’s defense when the two teams closed out the regular season on a brisk Friday night in Mt. Prospect.
The Knights were stellar, keeping the Grens out of the end zone all night.
However, Elk Grove’s defense was not to be outdone at George Gattas Stadium.
With a fifth straight playoff berth riding on the outcome, the Grenadiers’ defense made Travon Royal’s 37-yard field goal with 5:38 in the first quarter stand up for a 3-0 victory.
“I would have bet any amount of money we would have scored more than 3 points,” said Grenadiers coach Larry Calhoun. “But our defense stepped up. That’s why it’s a team game.”
The Grenadiers defense, which got some big plays from junior linebacker Matt Wary, senior defensive end Johnny Assimakoupolos and junior Sean Oldenburg, could not have picked a better time for its first shutout.
Elk Grove (6-3) finished in a three-way tie for first in the Mid-Suburban League East with Rolling Meadows and Hersey (all 4-1) while Prospect finished at 1-8 and 1-4.
“It’s awesome,” said Assimakoupolos, who has been an part of four straight playoff teams. “I felt confident in our defense the whole game. Our offense had torn it up all season and this time the defense killed it. We’ve been preaching to practice hard every single day and we’ve finally gotten to the point where we are ‘up-tempo’ every day.”
Prior to the game, the Knights honored its Class AA state girls golf championship team and retiring athletic trainer Math Guth, who missed less than 10 football in his 34 years. His last one on Friday night was in doubt to the final minute.
With under four minutes left, Prospect quarterback Greg Suarez scrambled 15 yards to midfield and then a late hit tacked on another 15 yards for a first down at the Grens’ 35-yard line.
However, the Elk Grove defense shut the door again, and on fourth down Daniel Pauscher and Assimakoupolos helped sack Suarez back at midfield to hand the football back to the offense.
“Our kids left every ounce they had on the field for 48 minutes,” said Prospect coach Mike Sebestyen. “It showed these kids have a lot of pride in what they do. The defense was outstanding. Maybe we needed to finish a play or two more on offense, but I will take the blame for that.”
Prospect got the ball back in the final minute on its own 2-yard line before Brandon Post’s interception on second down sealed the verdict.
“I thought our defense wanted to make a statement,” said Wary, who had his share of big tackles in the Knights’ backfield. ”We knew their quarterback was a hard runner and wherever he was, the ball would be. It was just a team effort. Now we’ve got new life going to the playoffs. It feels like great, like all the hard work paid off.”
Elk Grove’s offense drove well into Prospect territory a few times but interceptions by seniors Zach McDermott and Shane Ryan prevented serious damage.
“Their record may not show it but Prospect is a good football team and they get after it,” Calhoun said. “They play physical and they have great playmakers. We expected this to be a game. I’m confident our offense will bounce back. I’m glad we get another chance.”
“It was awesome to see our kids finish like this against a team that had a lot on the line,” Sebestyen said. “Give Elk Grove’s defense credit. They played real well.
“Our seniors have played their hearts out all for four years and should commended. The sophomores and juniors need to learn from them. They’ve been given good examples to follow.”