Oct. 10--It had been just a week since the streak was last in jeopardy, and that 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit proved surmountable.
An 11-point hole in the second quarter? That was erased by halftime.
Last week's heroes, Brian Collis and Fotis Kokosioulis, were at it again, but junior Matt Holbrook will be remembered as the star of Maine South's thriller of a 24-21 road victory over No. 19 New Trier on Friday night in Northfield.
Holbrook caught nine Collis passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. Pressed into double duty because of an injury, he came up with a crucial interception late in the fourth quarter of the Hawks' 73rd straight Central Suburban South victory.
Maine South (5-2, 3-0) beat Glenbrook South 34-31 in overtime last week.
"This is definitely the best game of my life," Holbrook said. "Obviously you don't want to lose the streak, you don't want to be that team."
New Trier (6-1, 2-1) jumped to a 14-3 lead, but the Hawks were up 17-14 at halftime and never trailed thereafter.
New Trier had a chance late, however, as Eric Nicholas intercepted a Holbrook pass on a trick play with Maine South knocking on the door of a two-score lead.
Clay Czyzynski then drove the Trevians to the Maine South 35 and went for the rest with one throw, which Holbrook intercepted at the 1 with 2 minutes, 40 seconds remaining.
"We stayed the course, kept hanging in there," said Maine South coach David Inserra, who is 73-0 in conference play.
"We knew it was going to be an alley fight. We just stayed together, hung in there and made the plays when we had to."
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Matt Holbrook, Maine South, 9 receptions, 141 yards, TD; INT.
Key performers: Maine South -- Brian Collis, 22-for-31 passing, 272 yards, TD; Fotis Kokosioulis, 29 carries, 129 yards, 2 TDs. New Trier -- Eric Nicholas, 44-yard TD catch, INT; Clay Czyzynski, 2 TD passes.
