Schaumburg has the moves, holds off Wheeling
It was 40 years ago this weekend that the BeeGees had the No. 1 song in the nation, "You Should Be Dancing."
It's probably a stretch to say this inspired either Wheeling or Schaumburg. But both squads sure proved to be good dancing partners in their Mid-Suburban crossover at Gary Scholz Stadium. Under those lights Friday night in the Saxons' 35-34 victory those in attendance were treated to:
• 10 touchdowns
• 825 combined yards of total offense
• 20 plays from scrimmage of 10 yards or more
• A 200-yard rusher
• A 200-yard passer (who also rushed for 147)
• A 150-yard receiver
"It was a great competitive atmosphere tonight," Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said. "Our offensive line was able to grind it out this evening. On defense we were to come up with some big plays and big stops when we needed it. It was an incredible team performance."
The scoreboard clock malfunctioned with 5:20 left in the opening half, forcing officials to keep time on the field for the remainder of the contest.
A missed PAT after Wildcats QB Jalen Dennis' second touchdown pass to Johnny Kappel with approximately 7:00 left in regulation kept Schaumburg (1-1) ahead to stay.
When Wheeling had the ball, it orchestrated some impressive results - starting with its first play from scrimmage. Using a double pass, Dennis lateraled the ball to TJ Best, who then found Kappel (5 catches, 152 yards) alone for an 80-yard touchdown and a 7-0 early advantage.
After Schaumburg's opening drive ended with the first of Jordan Salgado's 3 touchdown runs to tie it at 7, Dennis (12-for-19 passing, 215 yards) went back to the air, finding Jason Shannon (4 receptions, 101 yards) on an 80-yard TD strike and a 14-7 lead.
After Salgado's second TD (29 yards) tied things back up at 14, Dennis led an 8-play, 74-yard scoring drive by breaking free for 30 yards on a third-and-13.
Schaumburg answered again late in the first half, as sophomore Heze Trotter (6 carries, 50 yards) scored from the 6.
The Saxons' Matt Eaker picked off Dennis on the half's final play and returned it 53 yards, as the returning MSL East co-player of the year made a touchdown-saving tackle at the Wheeling 20.
Schaumburg grabbed its first lead of the night at 28-21 on a 10-play, 63-yard drive topped off by Salgado's third TD of the night from 3 yards out.
Unfortunately for the Saxons that lead only lasted 3 plays as Dennis (13 carries, 147 yards) tied the contest up for the final time when he took advantage of an opening in the Schaumburg defense on a pass play, running instead for 71 yards and a TD.
The Saxons took their next possession 68 yards as Trotter finished it with a 22-yard scoring run in the final minute of the third quarter.
Schaumburg got good field position for its final score after a 26-yard kickoff return from Austin Anzelmo. Salgado carried on six of the next seven plays, getting a key first down and third-and-7 from the Wheeling 9. From there, Saxons QB Justin Perez was able to perform kneel-downs to run out the clock.
Stilling credited assistants Bill Lange and Adam Strauch for coordinating the game-ending sequence.
"Both Bill and Adam did a great job of making that happen." Stilling said. "It was so difficult out there for both teams trying to get plays in on time on top of that and I give credit to our entire team fir being as successful as we were in that area."
Salgado gave all the credit to his offensive line,
"It makes my job a heck of lot easier," a smiling Salgado said of Andres Ortiz, David Drs, Jalen Young, Robert Grasse and Paul Anderson, who paved the way for 337 total rushing yards. "We had to deal with a lot of critics after last week's game (a 42-10 home loss to St. Charles North). To them I say you were heard loud and clear. Tonight was a result of being prepared to go out and play."