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Kaneland takes momentum, game from Yorkville

Yorkville had all the momentum.

When Northern Illinois Big XII East rivals Yorkville and Kaneland resumed their weather-suspended game Saturday night in Maple Park, the Foxes not only halved their deficit on their first possession but also denied Kaneland right before halftime.

The Foxes received the second-half kickoff and were quickly in Kaneland territory.

But the Knights stopped Yorkville cold on 4th-and-two from their 21, and the Knights' subsequent three drives all resulted in touchdowns in their 35-7 victory.

"I think that was the turning point of the game," Yorkville coach Dan McGuire said of the collaboration by the interior of the Knights' defensive line. "If we get that first down, it might be a different game."

Jake Marczuk played a singular role in allowing the Knights to improve to 3-1 overall, 1-0 in league play.

The senior quarterback hit Tanner Robertson with two long scoring strikes Friday night in staking Kaneland to a two-score lead; he played a masterful role in the Knights' 25 second-half plays from scrimmage.

Kaneland was facing a 3rd-and-nine from the Foxes' 31 when Marczuk found Isaiah Baerenklau on a seam pattern that resulted in the Knights re-establishing their 14-point lead.

"I give it to our defense," Marczuk said. "They came out (in the second half) and were mentally ready to get a stop. I trust my guys with all my heart to make plays. I know we're playing for each other; that's the biggest part of it all."

The third Marczuk touchdown pass of 27-plus yards would be the final attempt of the game for the Knights.

The final 16 Kaneland offensive plays would be runs as Marczuk and freshman tailback Jonathan Alstott were at the center of two more time-consuming scoring drives.

Marczuk, who had almost 300 all-purpose yards, had a 42-yard romp along the left sideline on the Knights' first possession of the fourth quarter; he would later cap the 87-yard drive with an 11-yard keeper.

"It all starts (with the offensive line)," said Marczuk, who augmented his 201 passing yards with 95 more on the ground.

"That's where we win all the games is up front."

Yorkville (2-2, 2-2) self-destructed with critical personal-foul infractions on both its ensuing offensive and defensive possessions.

Alstott cracked the 100-yard barrier when he found the end zone from 9 yards out to conclude the Knights' scoring in the waning minutes. The freshman ended with 103 yards on 16 carries.

Jacob Urban had a 9-yard sack as one of the defensive centerpiece plays for the Knights after the break.

Frank Pisano had a 3-yard scoring reception for the Foxes' lone touchdown moments after the game restarted with four-plus minutes remaining before the intermission.

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