Jacobs downs Rock Island to move to 3-0
The Jacobs offense can wear a defense down with the punishing running of brothers Matt and Sean Barnes or the Golden Eagles can be effective through the airwaves, guided by junior quarterback Chris Katrenick.
Both aspects were on display as Jacobs moved to 3-0 on the season with a 28-18 win over Rock Island in nonconference action in Algonquin Friday night.
"Both Matt and Sean Barnes run so hard," said Katrenick. "You know they are going to get some yards on almost every play. Their running opens up the passing game."
Jacobs, which compiled 25 first downs, rushed for 251 yards, led by Sean Barnes with 110 yards on 17 carries while Matt Barnes bulldozed his way to 83 yards on 16 carries that included a 5-yard touchdown.
"Both Sean and Matt ran very well," said Jacobs coach Bill Mitz. "They run so hard and they follow their blockers so well."
Katrenick, who scored on a 1-yard run, completed 13-of-16 passes for 152 yards and 2 scores.
The Golden Eagles set the tone on the first offensive series of the game. A 78-yard drive on 9 plays was capped by a 1-yard TD run by Katrenick. Jack Hichew's extra point gave the Eagles a 7-0- lead with 8:09 left in the first quarter,
Jacobs scored 14 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead. Matt Barnes rambled 5 yards for a score and Katrenick threw a perfect 9-yard TD pass to a wide open Bryce Pahl to give the Golden Eagles a comfortable lead.
A 27-yard field goal at the buzzer by Zach Blumberg put Rock Island on the board and made the score 21-3 at halftime.
The Golden Eagles were plagued by mistakes in the second half. Katrenick lost 2 fumbles and threw an interception which was picked by Tre Nimmers.
Jacobs' only score of the second half was a 9-yard TD pass from Katrenick to Aldan Ludlum with 10:22 left to give Jacobs a 28-3 lead.
The Rocks (1-2) didn't give up and scored 2 late fourth quarter TDs on a 2-yard run by Nimmers and a 2-yard run by Alek Jacobs.
"We played a great first half," said Mitz. "The second half was ho-hum. We made a lot of big costly big mistakes. We need to clean those up."