Triantos FG wins it for Bartlett in OT
The Bartlett defense got back to its early season form at the right time.
After allowing just 2 offensive touchdowns over the first three weeks of the season, the Hawks had surrendered 83 points the last two games, putting them in tough spot for playoff contention.
Facing visiting Glenbard East for the first time as Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division foes, the Bartlett defense forced a program record 7 turnovers in a 23-20 overtime win on Friday night at Millennium Field in Streamwood.
"We came out this week knowing we needed this one to stay alive for the playoffs," Hawks' senior linebacker Daniel Danek said as his team improved to 3-3 overall, 2-2 in the UEC Valley.
Glenbard East (3-3, 1-3) forced its second consecutive overtime game when Mickey Farnham ran in a 2-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter for a 20-20 tie.
The Hawks had a chance to win in regulation opting for a 33-yard field goal attempt with 24.7 seconds left to play on a gusty night. Alex Triantos' kick sailed wide to the left, but after Zach Hayes recovered the third Rams fumble of the game Triantos hit a 22-yarder through the uprights for the win.
"I just had to get my mind right after I missed the first one," Triantos said. "It put that one past me and was ready for another chance."
There were 9 total turnovers in the game with the Rams intercepting Bartlett QB Brenner Wallace (14-for-29, 138 yards) 3 times, but both team's offenses struggled to turn them into points with the exception of 2 interception returns for scores.
Drake Pusateri put the Rams up 7-0 with a 1-yard run in the first quarter, and Nolan Bernat (26 carries, 135 yards) tied it for the Hawks with a 2-yard run in the early in the second.
Cameron Mays got the first of 4 pickoffs against Rams QB Philip Abruzino (20-for-39, 295 yards) and took it back 75 yards for a 14-7 Bartlett lead with 8:52 left in the first half. Mays added a second interception and forced 2 fumbles.
"We had a great game," Mays said. "I mean a school record in turnovers, you can't get much better than that."
The score was 20-13 at halftime with a Wallace scoring on a 1-yard keeper and Farnham giving the Rams a defensive score on an 85-yard interception return. Daniel Andreuccetti and Mike Bucaro added picks for the Hawks, and Rams junior Karon Keyes led all receivers with seven receptions for 87 yards.
It was the second overtime loss in a row for the Rams after falling 28-27 to Waubonsie Valley.
"It's gut check time for us," Rams coach John Walters said. "We've got three games left, and we've put ourselves in a tough spot with two straight overtime losses."