Rolling Meadows senior Chris Divito hasn’t been getting many carries on offense lately. The Mustangs’ coaching staff has had him focusing more on defense. He also plays linebacker.
That changed on Friday. Divito was unleashed on Prospect. The 5-10, 185-pound running back’s first run was for 12 yards, his third for 12 yards and his fourth went for 51.
That first drive set the tone for Rolling Meadows’ 26-14 win against the Knights in the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs.
Divito finished with 22 carries for 155 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes, including a 24-yard touchdown grab.
“My linemen made a lot of good holes,” Divito said. “I kept pounding the ball and they let me keep going.”
Divito’s three-yard touchdown run with 6:40 to play but the Mustangs (11-0) ahead 20-14.
No. 23 Rolling Meadows hasn’t received much attention across the area despite its undefeated record.
“We are 11-0 but we are still underdogs,” defensive end Nate Pedraza said. “Nobody is gonna really look at us to make a huge run. We’re already in the quarterfinals. I think people have to open their eyes. We are going to make a big run.”
Rolling Meadows beats Prospect 26-14. The Mustangs are 11-0 and into the Class 7A quarterfinals.
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) November 9, 2019
This TD run by Chris Divito put Rolling Meadows ahead for good with 6:40 to play. pic.twitter.com/jgo0UWCXff
Junior Charlie Schmidt was the other major weapon on offense for the Mustangs. He had 15 carries for 85 yards.
“We beat them just a month ago so it was important to set the tempo and get a lead early,” Schmidt said. I trust in our defense that if we give them a lead they can keep it. Defense is our strong suit.”
Rolling Meadows’ defense dominated most of the game, but allowed two big plays.
Prospect (8-3) cut the Mustangs’ lead to 14-7 on an 80-yard touchdown pass from Gary Moeller to Noah Marx late in the first quarter.
Then they struck again late in the third quarter. Moeller threw to Brian Doherty near the sideline and he found Marx streaking downfield for a 61-yard touchdown pass that tied the game at 14.
“Those big plays, in the middle of them you are thinking ‘aww crap’ but then it is like, ‘bring it,’” Pedraza said. “It is all about the next play. The offense was kinda on the struggle bus at that point but the defense was able to pick it up.”
Moeller was 14-for-25 passing for 132 yards and one touchdown but the Knights managed just 10 yards rushing.
“We had to make sure it was our best week of practice,” Pedraza said. “We knew they were going to bring it. “
The Mustangs will face the winner of Downers Grove North vs. Wheaton-Warrenville South in the quarterfinals next weekend.
“We play hard, we work hard and it has been showing on the field,” Schmidt said. “We shouldn’t be overlooked anymore.”
