Defense sparks Rolling Meadows at Fremd

Fremd and Rolling Meadows were hoping to jump-start their seasons after dropping a pair of opening week games against Lake Zurich and St. Viator.

And the only Mid-Suburban League crossover game for each squad this season should indeed spark the Mustangs, as they hung on for a 10-0 victory in Palatine.

"If you are a fan of great defense, then this was your type of game," said Fremd coach Lou Sponsel. "Both teams took each other's best punch, and the difference was Meadows putting points on the board."

The Mustangs made great use of their only possession in the opening quarter. They had a 13-play drive that took almost five minutes, and it was capped by a 20-yard field goal from Yamil Roman.

The Vikings had four possessions in the second quarter and their best scoring chance ended with a fumble recovered by the Mustangs' Andrew Neville.

"Drew is the heart and soul of our team," said Rolling Meadows coach Matt Mishler. "He is a phenomenal leader and does a great job for us."

Rolling Meadows intercepted a pair of Fremd passes in the third quarter. Gregory Bouraoui stopped the Vikings' first drive of the second half while Jack Kane shut the door on the Vikings with a 3-yard interception for a score to close out the third quarter and give the Mustangs a 10-0 lead.

"Both defenses were very good tonight," Mishler said. "We moved the ball well in the first half but that Fremd defense closes windows quickly and pretty much stopped us in the second half.

"We needed this win tonight."

Rolling Meadows held Fremd to just 82 yards passing while allowing 108 yards on the ground.

Fremd kept the Mustangs running game in check with only 63 yards while allowing 141 in the air.