Schaumburg's backfield downs Palatine

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:22PM

Mark Iannotti ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 154 yards and another touchdown as No. 21 Schaumburg dealt Palatine's playoff hopes a severe blow by hanging on for a 35-27 victory Friday at Chic Anderson Stadium in Palatine.

"We knew Palatine was playing for a playoff spot and would give us their best game," Iannotti said. "But me and Shepard (Little) make a pretty good 1-2 punch and are hard for defenses to stop."

Schaumburg (6-2, 3-1 Mid-Suburban West) built a 14-7 halftime lead when Little (24 carries, 204 yards) ran for scores from four and 38 yards. Palatine (4-4, 2-2) scored on Cody Bobbit's 20-yard pass to John Serio late in the first quarter.

The Saxons scored on their first three possessions of the second half to build a 35-21 lead. Iannotti threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Bob Quilico and scored on runs of 12 and 77 yards.

But Bobbit (33 of 54, 328 yards, three touchdowns) rallied Palatine to within 35-27 on a five-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Hall with 1:43 remaining, then drove the Pirates to the Schaumburg 12-yard line following a successful onside kick before the Pirates turned the ball over on downs.

"What a competitor Bobbit is," Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said. "It's a lot more fun to watch him on film than trying to defend him on Friday night."

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