Fremd gets what it desperately wanted
For the second season in a row, Fremd and Schaumburg were meeting late in the season with playoff implications on the line.
The Saxons were striving to pick up their playoff-eligible fifth win, while the Vikings were desperate to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Fremd scored early and often in the first quarter on its way to a 49-21 defeat over the host Saxons on Friday. The Vikings improved to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the Mid-Suburban West.
"After the way two of our senior leaders (Austin) Schwantz and (Tom) Josten played last week in the loss to Palatine, I challenged them on Saturday to come out and play this week like we know they are capable of playing," said Fremd coach Lou Sponsel. "Austin did a great job blocking and Josten did a good job guiding the offense tonight."
A Zach Goodman interception for Fremd on the Saxons' first drive gave the Vikings great field position at the Schaumburg 44. A quick 28-yard pass from Josten to Ben Konopka put the Vikings in the red zone and five plays later Alec Honickel scored his first of 4 touchdowns on the night. Luke Schoffstall converted the PAT.
Nick Cecchin scored on a 24-yard run for Fremd, and Josten hit Mitch Kazmer in stride with a 34-yard fade route to put Fremd up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. Schoffstall converted both extra points.
Honickel scored his second rushing touchdown of the night with a 1-yard dive with over seven minutes left in the half.
Schaumburg got some nice field position after a reverse on the ensuing kickoff and marched 53 yards in seven plays. Jordan Salgado scored from 2-yards out and Mason Laramie converted the PAT.
Fremd got the ball back on its own 14 with just under a minute left in the half when lightning struck for the Vikings. On first down, Jake Haas took a handoff and raced 86 yards for a touchdown. Schoffstall converted to put the Vikings up 35-7 at the half.
The Saxons started the second half with an onside kick but Fremd up-man Chris Rydberg took the ball and carried it to the Schaumburg 20-yard line. Honickel scored on the first play from scrimmage to put Fremd ahead 42-7.
Schaumburg was not ready to fold its tent for the night. Danny Galovich took the ensuing kickoff at his own 4-yard line and raced 96 yards for a touchdown.
In addition to Goodman's interception, the Vikings had picks from Patrick Ryzcek, Jimmy Walsh and Mark Metzen. Walsh, junior Will McCabe and sophomore Luke Bilek led the Vikings' defense.
The Fremd defense limited Schaumburg to 123 yards rushing and just 95 yards passing.