Metea tops Elgin in turnover-plagued game

Updated: October 22, 2011 12:20AM

Turnovers were the big story at Metea Valley on Friday.

The Mustangs were able to capitalize on them more often than Elgin’s Maroons, however, and they pulled away after falling behind early in the second half to win 31-16.

Zach Wood helped Metea early by booting a 31-yard field goal, and the Mustangs (4-5, 1-5) led 3-0 after one quarter.

Tre’Sean Mackey finished a quick 65-yard drive for Metea by dashing for 32 yards and a score on the first play of the second quarter.

“That was good playcalling, and I give credit to the line,” Mackey said. “They were all biting hard on the trap and the flip was wide open. Wide receiver Ray Parker had a good block on the outside and I just ran it in.”

The Maroons (1-8, 0-6) fired back, and their first score was provided by the defense. After pinning the Mustangs at their own 1-yard line, quarterback Luke Rozier was not able to escape the end zone and Elgin had the safety.

Ryan Sitter found Derek Moorman for a 12-yard TD strike for the Maroons, and found him again for the two-point conversion right before the half and the game was even at 10.

James Jones turned in the biggest play of the night for Elgin at the halfway point of the third. He intercepted Rozier and returned the ball 59 yards to the Metea Valley 7-yard line. Three plays later, Sitter snuck it in to give the Maroons their first lead at 16-10.

“I remember I saw a back come out, I jumped the route and all I saw was green,” Jones said. “The quarterback rolled out, and the back did a little five and out. I jumped the route and just ran.”

Gage Teschner followed with another pick for Elgin, but Alan Williams then returned the favor by intercepting for the Mustangs and that began Metea’s winning surge.

Cameron Wilcox had a 10-yard scoring run soon after Williams’ interception. Chris Guyton then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, and four plays later, Rozier found Parker for a 22-yard strike. The reversal of fortune found the Mustangs with a 24-16 lead early in the fourth.

Breon Hoosier added yet another pick for Metea, and it led to a second Rozier-to-Parker scoring strike — and the final 31-16 victory margin.

Elgin lost three fumbles and threw three interceptions, but Metea was close by also losing three fumbles and throwing two picks.

Metea Valley moved from a lone win last year to four victories in its second varsity season.

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