Wauconda rolls over North Chicago

Wauconda needed a win at a pivotal time of the season.

The Bulldogs got it, running out to an early lead and then letting their defense take over. Wauconda rolled past visiting North Chicago 35-12 in a Northern Lake County Conference game on Friday night.

Erik Trela and Jack Sammons each rushed for 2 touchdowns, then Daniel Cervantes intercepted a pass, snatched a ball for a 55-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Cervantes also had 2 of the Bulldogs' 7 sacks, while the rest of the defense forced four turnovers.

Wauconda improved to 3-3 and 2-2 in the NLCC, while the Warhawks dropped to 2-4 and 1-3.

"We needed the win," Wauconda coach Dave Mills said. "When your first offensive play goes 69 yards for a touchdown, it's a good start to a game. We needed it, but I'm not telling you that we were good in the second half. We made plays when we had to. We'll go on to our next game."

Trela (14 carries, 112 yards) was the one who scored on the opening play from 69 yards out with 11:32 left in the opening quarter for the 7-0 Bulldogs lead. He added a second rushing TD on a 13-yard run with 8:19 remaining for a 14-0 lead.

Sammons (7 carries, 59 yards) made the score 21-0 with 2:50 left on a 2-yard scamper into the end zone after Cervantes intercepted a pass and returned it 25 yards.

Sammons made the score 28-0 with 2:46 on the clock in the second quarter, when he scored on a 39-yard run.

North Chicago cut the lead to 28-6 just as time ran out at halftime, as Armon Rodgers caught a 40-yard pass from Trinate Jacobs.

Cervantes put the game out of reach with a 55-yard fumble return early in the third quarter for a 35-6 lead. That came after Warhawks receiver Cory Harper caught the ball for an apparent first down.

North Chicago added one late score in the final quarter, as Ozzie Young caught a 33-yard pass from Jacobs.

"We just made mental errors," North Chicago coach Donte Adams said. "We just had too many in the game. You can't turn the ball over four times and come out expecting a 'W.' Not to take anything away from (Wauconda). It was some key blocks we were missing. We did play pretty good defense, but we also made a lot of mental errors."