Deerfield thwarts Maine West's comeback attempt
It was a battle of the Warriors when host Deerfield met Maine West in a Central Suburban League football showdown Friday night.
The visiting Warriors had their chances to pick up a victory, but Deerfield (4-3, 3-0) held on for a 13-7 CSL North Division victory as the two teams played to a scoreless second half.
The first half was a pretty wild one for Deerfield's senior night as Zach Chalmers intercepted a pass by Maine West quarterback Tommy Delaney and raced 86 yards in the other direction for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead just 1:10 into the contest.
Deerfield got on the scoreboard again midway through the second quarter as the Warriors marched 82 yards for the score. Sophomore quarterback Mac Jones hit Jack Berger with a 3-yard TD on a jump pass before the extra point put the hosts ahead 13-0.
Maine West's offense was sluggish for the better part of the first half. But the Warriors really came to life when Delaney (17-for-30, 206 yards passing) hit Isaac Pittman with a quick pass on the right sideline. Pittman wasted no time bolting down the sideline as he managed to stay inbounds for a 61-yard TD play. The extra point by Jason Salazar cut the lead to 13-7 with 1:52 left in the first half.
Maine West stormed downfield again late in the second quarter behind some strong passing and receiving, but its drive stalled out at the Deerfield 18-yard-line as time expired.
"I'm really proud of our defense and how they played tonight, they gave us a fighting chance," said Maine West coach George Klupchak. "Isaac Pittman is an electric player, but unfortunately we weren't able to punch it in when we got inside the 20."
Maine West (3-4, 2-1) was in jeopardy of falling behind even more early in the fourth quarter. But Augustas Januskevicius intercepted a pass by Jones in the right corner of the end zone on a third-and-goal play from the 8.
Maine West had a chance to get the winning TD late in the final quarter, but its drive stalled out on the Deerfield 21-yard-line.
Deerfield's solid ground attack was led by Vincent Sciarrone with 131 yards on 25 carries while Pittman had 61 yards on 12 rushes.
"We still have the opportunity to do everything we set out to do, and making the playoffs is still out in front of us," added Klupchak, whose team had three turnovers in the first quarter. "He (Delaney) settled in real nicely I thought. Our first quarter was a rough one, and our defense gave us a chance."