Schaumburg makes its point(s) at Niles North

Schaumburg's football team had scored only 34 combined points in their first two games of the 2017 season.

It's safe to say the Saxons' offense was due to explode.

Schaumburg (2-1) scored 34 unanswered points to take down host Niles North 41-7 for its second consecutive victory.

The Saxons were almost automatic offensively, scoring on their first six drives. Their only drives that didn't result in points came late in the fourth quarter with the game already in hand. Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling attributed his team's highest-scoring output to its ability to stay focused despite adversity.

"Our kids have a good level of resolve and I think they believe in what we're doing and didn't let the result - Week 1 or even the first half of Week 2 - affect their confidence in what we're doing," Stilling said. "And our kids keep grinding."

Schaumburg was led by running back Jordan Salgado, who scored 4 touchdowns on 9 carries and finished with 50 yards.

Quarterback Deontae Arnold also had a busy night, although not a stressful one. He completed both of his pass attempts for 62 yards, rushed 6 times for 32 yards, scored a touchdown and caught a 37-yard pass off of a trick play that helped the Saxons convert a third-and-26.

Arnold was quick to credit offensive linemen Paul Anderson, Walker Popek, David Drs, Jaylen Young, Mike Dan and Tristian O'Connor for paving the way throughout the night. He said his team has been striving for this kind of victory since the season began.

"We're all just putting in work weekly and this is what we play for and this is what we really want - the outcome to be this every time - because we put in so much hard work for it."

The game was tied at 7 after Niles North tailback Bruno Prosper Kanam scored on a 15-yard run with 6:42 to play in the second quarter. Schaumburg answered nearly three minutes later when Salgado punched in his second touchdown run from 1 yard out. The game began to get out of hand after a Vikings fumble gave the Saxons outstanding field position on Niles North's 20-yard line.

The Saxons made the Vikings (1-2) pay four plays later on a touchdown run by Arnold, who was actually lined up as a halfback. Schaumburg never looked back after that.

One ugly recurring theme popped up again for the Saxons, however. Schaumburg was flagged for 19 penalties through the first two games and was called for nine penalties Friday night. Stilling admitted the costly infractions must be reduced going forward.

"It's certainly an issue," Stilling said. "We've got to clean that up."

The Saxons will look to make it three straight wins when they host Glenbrook North next weekend before beginning Mid-Suburban West conference play at home against Palatine.