Elk Grove, Maine West triumphant in Week 4
Elk Grove marched to its first win of the season Friday in Park Ridge.
The Grenadiers unleashed a punishing ground game that accounted for all six of their first-half touchdowns as Elk Grove rolled over Maine East 42-0 in a battle of a pair of winless teams.
"Our guys were really excited," Elk Grove coach Mils Osei said. "We had a great week of practice last week and it showed on Friday."
Also showing well was bruising running back Ian Ridge. The junior rushed 16 times for 254 yards and 4 touchdowns, all in the first half. Ridge had scoring runs of 2, 80, 15 and 2 yards.
"I think we have a dynamic player at running back," Osei said. "He does a great job of running with the ball. The kids are figuring out what we need from them and it is paying off for us."
Joe Gaskill and Charlie Janczak also each tallied on touchdown runs for Elk Grove (1-3). The Grens begin MSL East play next Friday at Prospect.
Maine East (0-4) begins their Central Suburban North season by hosting Highland Park next Friday.
Maine West 59, Wheeling 35:
It was a huge day for Danny Kentgen and the Maine West offense. Aftre struggling a week ago to put up 7 points Kentgen and the offense exploded Friday. Kentgen threw a school-record 7 touchdown and the Warriors (3-1) piled up 539 yards of offense.
"It was fun," Maine West coach Jason Kradman said. "It was the exact opposite of what we did a week ago. Last week we couldn't finish drives. On Friday the offense was clicking pretty well."
Kentgen was 18 of 21 for 307 yards. He threw his 7 touchdowns to five receivers. Jaden Dolphin hauled in 3 of those touchdowns on catches of 29, 49 and 10 yards. Dolhon had 6 catches for 114 yards. He also had a 2-point conversion run and an interception.
Sean Collins, Jacob Riedl, Semaj Johnson and Jimmy Michalak also had touchdown receptions for Maine West, which opens their Central Suburban North conference schedule next Friday when they host Deerfield. Michalak also had a touchdown run for the Warriors.
Wheeling quarterback Austin Hembd also had a big night. Hembd, who was 17-of-31 for 215 yards, tossed 3 touchdown passes and ran for two others for the Wildcats (0-4). Wheeling hosts Hersey next Friday in their MSL East opener.
Prospect 40, Highland Park 12:
Prospect won its first four games of the season for the first time since 2010. The Knights (4-0) cruised to a 33-0 halftime lead and went to a running clock for the second week in a row.
"We got to play everyone in the program, so that's good," Prospect coach Dan DeBeouf said. "We are very happy where we are at right now."
Prospect quarterback Gary Moeller was 10 of 14 for 185 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Knights. Luke Zardzin rushed for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 carries. He also caught a 70-yard touchdown pass. Noah Marx had 4 catches for 90 yards with two of those receptions going for touchdowns.
Justin Carreon also blocked a punt and Jack Friedrichs' scoop and score for Prospect, which hosts Elk Grove next Friday to open up Mid Suburban East play.
"We have a lot of respect for the East," DeBeouf said. "There is top competition coming up and we are looking forward to that challenge.
Willowbrook 42, Leyden 7:
Willowbrook put up 6 first-half touchdowns and cruised past the host Eagles Friday in Northlake. Leyden (1-3, 1-1) will play at West Suburban Gold rival Proviso East on Saturday.