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It's academic as Rolling Meadows tops BG

Rolling Meadows' teachers are used to getting Mustangs student-athletes involved in the classroom.

The Meadows football team returned the favor by showing the educators what a positive impact they've had on their young lives.

Continuing a homecoming tradition, each Meadows player chose to honor a teacher of their choice by asking them to wear their jersey number during the school day, and later at Friday's night's football the game against visiting Buffalo Grove.

Then the Mustangs went out and posted a much-needed 43-14 victory at Robert A. Hoese field to keep their hopes of a Mid-Suburban East championship alive.

"It's a great way for the kids to show that they support us," said Meadows instructional assistant Mike Austin, who sported Jack Lincoln's jersey.

"I feel that it's quite an honor," added RM chemistry and physics instructor Melissa Mardoian, who wore Demarcus Timberlake's No. 3. "The kids ask someone that they like and that they feel comfortable with, and I just hope us being out here tonight is a good-luck charm."

It sure seemed that way right from the start, as Meadows put up 36 points in the first half against BG.

Quarterback Asher O'Hara threw touchdown strikes to Jose Camacho (44 yards and 8 yards) and Luka Pavlakis (17 yards) while O'Hara and Devonte Amos each had rushing touchdowns.

BG countered with a 43-yard TD catch by Jimmy Trieb, while on the defensive side of the ball, Mustangs junior safety Nick Delporte recorded 2 sacks and defensive back Carlos Franticelli, in his first start, broke up two potential Bison touchdown passes with great plays in the end zone.

"Carlos had to step in due to an injury (to the regular starter)," Pavlakis said. "And he did a great job."

After a scoreless third quarter, the teams traded scores in the fourth period as O'Hara ran in up the middle from eight yards away. BG junior Chase Marsh then bulled his way into the end zone from the 1-yard line.

Trey Cervantes completed 22 of 42 passes for the Bison for 193 yards, while teammate Nolan Fortman had a stellar night. The 6-foot-2 senior wideout caught 12 passes for 87 yards and also tossed the scoring pass to Trieb on an option play.

"He's just an excellent kid," said BG assistant coach Tim Podulka of Fortman. "Trey can throw it anywhere within 5 yards of Nolan, and he's going to come down with it. He's one of the top five receivers in the area."

Meadows junior running back Kevin LaCosse ran 17 times for 135 yards, while O'Hara finished with 180 yards through the air.

"We came in 4-3 and we knew we weren't going to the playoffs with a 5-4 record," Pavlakis said. "So we're treating every game now like it's a playoff game."

And what does Pavlakis think about the teacher-jersey-giveaway?

"Very cool," said Pavlakis. "It's a great way to give it to the teachers and to show them how much we appreciate them."

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