The Mustangs of Rolling Meadows eliminated the Saint Patrick Shamrocks in the second round of the IHSA Class 7A State Football playoffs on November 5th. The Mustangs got outstanding performances out of their senior backfield in a 33-14 victory, as both Andy Lange and Bryan Porter rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Lange and Porter also played every down in the defensive backfield, with Lange intercepting three Shamrock passes.

The Mustangs jumped out to an early lead, as Porter broke free up the left side for a 72-yard touchdown run on Rolling Meadows’ first play from scrimmage. Lange made his first interception of the game three plays later, and he returned it into the end zone, but the return was called back due to a holding penalty. The Mustangs took over at the Shamrock 25. Five plays later, Lange scored from eight yards out to make it 14-0.

Down two touchdowns with 6:30 remaining in the first quarter, the Shamrocks needed some big plays of their own to get back in the game. First, Linell Potts returned the Rolling Meadows kickoff 68 yards, setting up a two-yard touchdown plunge by Mark Dietz. Then, three plays later, Joe Nee recovered a Lange fumble at the Mustang 42. The Shamrocks put together a seven-play drive, capped by a Mike Lupa eight-yard touchdown run, and the game was tied at 14 with 2:18 remaining in the first quarter.

The Shamrocks forced the Mustangs to punt, then drove to the Rolling Meadows 23 before turning the ball over on downs. Neither team would threaten again in the second quarter, and the game went to the half tied at 14.

The score remained deadlocked at 14 throughout most of the third quarter as both defenses stepped up their play. With 5:34 remaining in the third, Saint Patrick took over at their own 35 following a Mustang punt. Three penalties and a sack left the Shamrocks facing fourth and 40 from their own five-yard line. Dietz punted the ball 31 yards, and the Mustangs got the ball in great field position at the Shamrock 36.

Backed up in their own end, the Shamrock defense forced the Mustangs into two fourth down situations. On fourth and one from the Shamrock 27, Lange got the first down with a four-yard rush. On fourth and five from the Shamrock 18, Lange ran around left end, before cutting back for 18 yards and a touchdown to give the Mustangs a 20-14 lead with 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

The Shamrocks were unable to move the ball on their next possession, and Rolling Meadows took over at their own 49. Three plays later, Porter hit George Louckes for a 46-yard bomb down the right sideline, putting the Mustangs ahead 26-14 with just over 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

The Shamrocks had their backs to the wall, and the Shamrock offense was unable to bail them out. Lange’s second interception of the game set up Porter’s second touchdown of the game, this one coming on a 15-yard run around left end to complete the scoring at 33-14 with 5:25 left in the game.

Saint Patrick’s offense struggled throughout the second half. On seven possessions in the second half, no drive gained more than six yards, or yielded a first down. The Shamrocks’ inability to move the ball gave the Mustangs outstanding field position throughout the half. The average starting position for Rolling Meadows’ drives in the second half was the 50-yard line. On five fourth quarter drives, the Mustangs average start was at the Shamrock 42.

Tom Barrett had only been sacked twice while completing 60% of his passes and throwing five interceptions in 169 attempts this season. In this game, Barrett was sacked three times, and he connected on only six of 20 pass attempts for 33 yards with three interceptions. It was that kind of night for Saint Patrick.

Mike Bertini and Jason Genova both played exceptionally well for the Shamrock defense. Bertini recorded nine tackles, including five tackles for loss, while Genova racked up a team-high 10 tackles. Linebackers Dietz, Brandon Kreczmer, and Brian Risa each made eight tackles on the night.