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Full speed ahead as Schaumburg sinks Buffalo Grove

Schaumburg took control of its Mid-Suburban League football crossover at Buffalo Grove's Grant Blaney Stadium Friday from the opening kickoff and never looked back.

The visiting Saxons could seemingly do no wrong, and they made the Bison (1-2) pay for their mistakes. Whether it was the opening drive that took more than 7 and a half minutes off the clock, a forced turnover that resulted in another first-quarter touchdown or returning a post-safety free kick for a touchdown, Schaumburg dominated the 52-21 victory.

"There's not much to say," Buffalo Grove coach Mike DiMatteo said. "They came out on fire and did everything better than us. They were just better in every facet. We did nothing right, and that's my fault."

"Our focus and poise were tremendous," Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said. "Our offense came out and did a great job to start the game.

"We have a lot of guys who can make plays," Stilling said. "There's a collective unselfishness on this team."

Emanuel Little (12 carries for 62 yards) scored twice on 1-yard runs to give the Saxons (2-1) a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. The second score came on the heels of a BG turnover on the Bison's fifth play.

"Our goal is to get better every quarter," said Little, who also scored from 4 yards out to give Schaumburg a 38-0 lead with 5:12 left in the third. "This team has progressed. We get after it every play."

"He's talented, he works hard and is a great teammate," Stilling said of his junior running back. "I don't know what else you would want."

Three plays after Little's second touchdown, the snap flew over the BG punter's head and through the end zone for a safety. The ensuing kickoff was fielded by Dan Galovich on his 30, and once he cut to the right sideline, he outran the Bison defenders for the touchdown that gave Schaumburg a 22-0 lead with 10:31 left in the first half.

Dakari Ferguson got into the scoring act with an 8-yard run that put the Saxons ahead 29-0 with 1:38 remaining.

The Saxons kept after it in the third quarter scoring twice, a 24-yard field goal by Mason Laramie and Little's 4-yard run.

BG's offense erupted in the fourth quarter behind the passing of Trey Cervantes (27-of-36 for 340 yards). He finished the game with a trio of touchdown passes, connecting with Nolan Fortman on scoring passes of 35 and 47 yards, and Zack Sheasby from 47 yards out. He passed for 187 of those yards in the fourth quarter.

Fortman finished with 7 catches for 105 yards, and Jimmy Tribe grabbed 8 for 89 yards.

Schaumburg answered the first 2 BG touchdowns with scores of its own, a 35-yard run by Bernard Payne and a 48-yard run by reserve quarterback Antonio Olson.

Defensively, Schaumburg dominated for three quarters and allowed just 20 rushing yards for the game.

"We knew they passed 70 percent of the time, and when they came out running, we shut them down," said defensive back Austin Anzelmo. "That turnover right off the bat changed the game.

"After the second half of the St. Charles North game, we've gotten better," said Anzelmo who forced a fumble in the third quarter. "This team is ready to go."

Ten Saxons combined for 220 rushing yards, and junior quarterback Justin Perez completed 6-of-11 passes for 172 yards. The teams combined for 752 yards.

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