Bison playoff prospects need an assist

Anthony Brzezniak drags down Buffalo Grove's Matt Stadler after he catches a pass, despite an interference penalty on Brzezniak.
(Rob Dicker/Staff Photographer)

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The chase is on.

After the Bison stumbled to Wheeling 17-13 Friday for their fourth loss on the season Buffalo Grove's football team must win the rest of its games and then hold its breath during the final two weeks of the campaign.

BG (3-4, 1-2 MSL East) doesn't have much margin for error with a game at Elk Grove (1-6, 0-3) and then a home date with Rolling Meadows (3-4, 1-2) to end the regular season. The Bison enter Friday night's MSL East contest ranked No. 42 among Class 7A playoff-eligible teams based on wins and playoff points (opponents' wins). BG, which has 29 playoff points, will keep an eye on it's Week 9 opponent, Rolling Meadows, which currently is ranked No. 39 with 32 playoff points.

Thirty-two teams will comprise the Class 7A bracket. Last year, 37 playoff points guaranteed a postseason berth for 5-4 teams.

Thirty-two teams will comprise the Class 7A bracket. Last year, 37 playoff points guaranteed a postseason berth for 5-4 teams.

Wheeling beat BG with help from four interceptions off BG quarterback J.P. Kulick (15-of-32, 235 yards). Another BIson turnover came in the second quarter when Kulick fumbled the snap from Jameson Zabrin.

"With this game, they let control of their own destiny in the playoffs get away from them," first-year BG coach Jim Farrell said. "You look at your wins, your opponents' wins and hope and pray you make the playoffs."

BG also must cut down on its penalties. The Bison committed six infractions for 45 yards; the defense was whistled three times for offsides. The game opened with a costly BG penalty when running back Josh Hampton took the direct snap and sprinted 65 yards for a TD, but it was called back due to holding.

The Bison ended their opening drive with Mike Cornely's 60-yard TD pass from Kulick. Cornely was whistled for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for diving into the end zone.

"Even when we make a great play, two out of the three times we scored, we were making penalties," Farrell said. "I think we were up and confident in the first series. We came out fast and did what we wanted to do."

The Bison did not score again until Cornely (6 catches, 135 yards) caught Kulick's 32-yard TD pass with 1:30 remaining.