Golden Eagles capitalize

Aaron Reams

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ALGONQUIN -- It wasn't pretty, but Jacobs managed to maintain its mastery over rival Dundee-Crown on Friday.

In the season finale for both teams, the Golden Eagles took advantage of three Chargers turnovers in the third quarter to rally for a 21-7 triumph in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action.

Jacobs (2-7, 1-4) snapped a seven-game losing streak, winning for the first time since a triple-overtime triumph at Moline in the first week of the season. The Eagles also won for the sixth consecutive time against D-C (3-6, 0-5), which failed in its attempt to reach the four-victory mark in a single season for the first time in a decade.

"It's a great way to finish the season," Jacobs coach Dean Schlueter said. "We've been through an awful lot together this year."

An hour-long lightning delay pushed back the opening kickoff until 8:54 p.m., and there wasn't much action early on as the teams were locked in a scoreless tie until late in the first half.

The Chargers finally broke through to take a 7-0 lead when quarterback Logan Kissack found receiver Jeff Beck over the middle for a 14-yard touchdown pass with eight seconds left in the second quarter. The strike capped a 13-play, 85-yard drive that took 2:50 to complete.

Jacobs didn't waste much time answering following the intermission. Senior running back Adam Dybeck broke free from several would-be tacklers and then took off for a 60-yard scoring run on the second play of the third quarter to even the score at 7.

Later in the quarter, D-C's Ian Salvatini lost a fumble on a pitch, and Jacobs recovered at the Chargers' 24-yard line. The Eagles capitalized four plays later when junior Dale Cook scored on a 20-yard touchdown run. Collin Carter's ensuing point after made the score 14-7 with 14 seconds left in the third quarter.

D-C coughed the ball up again moments later when Kissack fumbled on the final play of the quarter, giving the Eagles the ball at the D-C 7-yard line.

The Eagles again took advantage two plays later when quarterback Alec Starr scored on a 1-yard run to give Jacobs a commanding 21-7 lead.

There were 11 total fumbles in the game, five of which resulted in turnovers. The Eagles won the turnover battle 3-2 on a night where weather most definitely played a factor.

"It pretty much limited a lot of the stuff we wanted to do," D-C coach Mike Davis said. "It was the same conditions for them as it was for us. I'm not making excuses. We still could have gotten the job done, we just didn't."

Added Schlueter: "For one thing, we didn't know if we were going to play. The kids really hung in there, kept the right mental attitude. (The turnovers) were the difference, without a doubt. It gave us great field position and we were able to capitalize a couple times."

Salvatini led all players with 165 rushing yards on 25 carries. Kissack completed 13 of 27 passes for 93 yards.

Dybeck led Jacobs with 108 rushing yards on seven carries. Cook added 74 rushing yards on 11 carries.