Gators stuff Bartlett's upset hopes

Crystal Lake South held off a late charge by the visitors from Bartlett by stopping a two-point conversion attempt at the goal line to escape with the 10-9 victory.

Kenny King and Joe Coriaci were in on the thrilling goal-line stop of Bartlett's Russell Martin with 1:18 remaining in the game.

"It was a helluva game," said running back Bolek Mikulec, who rushed for 120 yards on 24 carries. "The defense came up with a huge stop. That was a great play call. We would have went for it also. We put in our big goal-line guys and came up with a huge stop."

After a scoreless first quarter, Bartlett (1-1) drew first blood on a successful 36-yard field goal by Ian Dobek in the second quarter.

Gusty winds played havoc with two failed field goal attempts (from 37 and 33) for No. 15 Crystal Lake South (2-0).

The Hawks went into the locker room at intermission leading 3-0.

The Gators rallied back on an 80-yard scoring drive to open the third quarter which resulted in a 29-yard Drew Ormseth touchdown strike to Kean Loupee on third and 13.

Crystal Lake South then scored again on a 26-yard field goal by Brad Walovitch with 6:51 left in the game.

Andy Puccini had 86 yards on 15 carries for the Hawks in the loss.

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