Maine West gets possessive in win over Vernon Hills
With its two top running backs on the field again, Maine West produced a significant edge in time of possession against Vernon Hills on Friday night.
That run-heavy offense also helped the Warriors lull the visiting Cougars to sleep and ultimately set up their biggest play in a 17-10 victory over their newest Central Suburban North foe.
Sam Kindle connected with a wide-open Matt Kentgen for a 60-yard touchdown pass with 9:37 remaining, and Matt Litas' interception with 1:15 to go ended Vernon Hills' attempt at another dramatic win.
The Warriors (4-2, 2-0) held the ball for 29:11 with Robinson carrying 20 times for 108 yards in his first action in three weeks. Henley had 77 yards on 18 attempts after sitting out last week's 41-12 victory at Maine East, and Kindle was a perfect 5-for-5 for 95 yards.
"We thought it was going to be slippery so we knew it would be hard to throw the ball," Kindle said. "We had to get the run game going. Once we realized that they were packing the box, that's when we had to fake it and Kentgen was wide open."
Maine West was also missing Robinson in a 13-0 loss to visiting Rolling Meadows two weeks ago, and Henley was hurt for portions of that game. Warriors coach Jason Kradman said neither player is 100 percent healthy, but he is hoping it's a different story next week against visiting Highland Park.
"They're actually both still banged up to be honest with you, but they were both warriors tonight by playing," Kradman said. "Our offensive line was great, especially helping us salt the game away in the fourth quarter. Hopefully, they (Robinson and Henley) will be fully healthy by next week."
The Warriors gained an early advantage with 10 points in a 14-second span in the second quarter. After Jonathan Fierro's 24-yard field goal, Robinson returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown.
The Cougars (4-2, 1-1) totaled 32 offensive yards and registered one first down in the first half, but quarterback Kyle Hull found his footing after the break. He had 95 of his 121 passing yards and 67 of his 69 on the ground in the final 24 minutes.
Hull scored his team's lone touchdown on a 1-yard sneak with 11:44 remaining to cap a 16-play, 99-yard drive. Vernon Hills was forced to settle for Andre Szmyt's 26-yard field goal with 5:42 to go after having first-and-goal from the 6 and didn't get the ball back until there was 1:26 left.
Szmyt clinched his school's first CSL North victory, 10-7 over Deerfield last week, with a 38-yarder.
"Their kids just outplayed our kids. That's what it came down to," coach Bill Bellecomo said. "We've played teams very similar to them. They just outplayed us."
The Cougars will try again to become playoff eligible next week at home against Maine East. The Warriors will attempt to join them while earning their fifth win in a season for the first time since 2005.