Buffalo Grove’s Catino a ‘monster’ on both sides of field

Updated: October 11, 2011 7:26PM

Slowing down Buffalo Grove fullback Mike Catino is a daunting challenge for any defense.

Just ask Rolling Meadows. The host Mustangs were put to the test on Oct. 6, when Catino collected 66 yards on 11 carries.

Although Rolling Meadows walked off the field with a 41-21 victory, the Mustangs will surely remember the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Catino.

“He is a monster,” said Bison coach Jim Farrell. “No one wanted to stand in front of him. He’s a physical specimen.”

Catino carried the ball once in the first half, gaining 10 yards. When halfback Alex Fritz left the game with an injury in the first quarter, Catino had an inkling his workload would increase after intermission.

“Nick normally plays tight end, but we wanted to get as many physical guys as possible at the point of attack,” Farrell said.

Catino relished the opportunity to contribute.

“I like to pride myself on running hard,” Catino said. “I like to lower the shoulder.”

His 56-yard output in the second half was highlighted by a 15-yard touchdown that cut the Mustangs’ lead to 28-21. Catino was quick to share the glory with the offensive line of Joe Conley, Andy Walker, Josh Pak, Trevor Chandler and Trevor Boburka.

“The line did an outstanding job,” Catino said. “They worked their butts off. I have to give them a ton of credit.”

Farrell is glad to have No. 47 on his side.

“There is nothing that kid can’t do,” said Farrell, aware that Catino added six tackles from his linebacker slot.

Recap: Any hope of a Buffalo Grove comeback was squashed when RM halfback Garrett Peterson scampered 69 yards for a touchdown, bumping the lead to 34-21.

“When the hole opened up, my eyes lit up,” Peterson said. “Once I got into the secondary, I was off to the races.”

Peterson finished with 161 yards on 13 carries. He reached the end zone twice, as his 13-yard run closed the scoring.

Rolling Meadows (5-2, 2-1) also enjoyed a monster first half from quarterback Jack Milas. He connected on 14 of 17 passes in the first two quarters for 158 yards. Milas tossed TD passes to Artie Cheechin (26 and 20 yards) and Peterson (9 yards).

Milas attempted two passes in the second half, but both were incomplete.

Stat sheet: Buffalo Grove (1-6, 0-3) fought hard throughout the contest. Leaders on the ground were quarterback Richie Zirngibl (19 carries, 98 yards, TD), halfback John Pallister (17 carries, 94 yards, TD) and Catino.

Zirngibl managed to stay in the game despite taking a series of punishing hits.

“The MSL is a tough conference,” Farrell said. “You have to be prepared for physical games.”

Pallister provided a big boost after Fritz left the game. He collected 85 yards in the opening half, including a 9-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Following a point-after kick by Kevin Cho, the Bison led 14-12.

Moments later, Cho attempted an onside kick, and chased the ball down himself for a recovery on the Meadows 43-yard line. The drive fizzled at the Mustangs’ 12. The Bison came away empty when Cho’s 29-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide right.

Farrell praised his team for playing hard all 48 minutes.

“The resiliency of this team shows great character,” the coach said. “The kids fight hard. It’s a great group of young guys. We have two more games to fight.”

On the schedule: The Bison will host Wheeling at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

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