Barrington comes up big

Updated: October 22, 2011 12:20AM

Barrington wide receiver Sam Handler saved his biggest performance of the 2011 season for Friday night’s regular season finale, an MSL West rivalry game without the team’s top two senior running backs in uniform.

Handler caught a season-high six passes for 110 yards, including touchdown grabs of 33 and 50 yards which helped carry the Broncos to a 32-16 win at Schaumburg.

The win moved Barrington to 7-2 on the season, and likely secured the Broncos a home game when the IHSA playoffs open next weekend.

“It’s great because this gives us a second dimension; opponents can’t just focus on (Broncos standout running back Chase Murdock) when we throw like this,” Handler said. “Our MO is to be a power running team, but we’re also trying to establish that balance so teams have to prepare for everything.”

After a sluggish and scoreless first quarter, Handler ignited the Broncos offense when he adjusted mid-route to haul in a 33-yard touchdown catch over his back shoulder.

The Broncos and Saxons traded 1-yard touchdown runs later in the second quarter, with Barrington linebacker Aaron Foley called upon to convert the Broncos’ goal line plunge.

It appeared Barrington would take a 12-7 lead into the half, but Barrington’s three-phase playmaker Dylan Zyzda returned a kick with 20 seconds remaining to midfield.

On the ensuring play, the final one of the half, Broncos quarterback Mark Bennett threw deep across the field, connecting with Handler again.

The 50-yard touchdown strike as time expired, and a successful two-point conversion from Bennett to tight end Lee Conforti, increased the Broncos lead to 20-7.

Zyzda then opened the second half with even more flair then the Broncos closed the opening 24 minutes. After catching the kick-off at his own 11, Zyzda accelerated through his return wedge and went untouched for an 89-yard score.

Just seconds into the second half, the Broncos lead ballooned to 19 points and the Saxons would never get back within striking distance.

“That kickoff return from Zyzda was huge.” Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. “It helped us set the tone for what was to happen.”

Barrington kept the ball on the ground most of the second half. With Murdock and senior running back Austin Schmidt out, junior reserve tailback Justin Dragosz carried the ball 24 times for 122 yards.

“We’ve got a lot of faith in Dragosz and our offensive line, they get it done,” Sanchez said. “We didn’t want to change anything as much as we just tried to adapt and get some other guys the ball.”

Senior fullback Daniel Davidson scored the Broncos final touchdown on a one-yard dive into the end zone.

Bennett finished the night completing nine of 12 passing attempts for 143 yards, highlighted by the two touchdown connections with Handler.

“Bennett just keeps getting better and better every week and we’re going to need him,” Sanchez said. “As we get deeper and deeper into the playoffs, teams are going to try to take away what we do.”

The Saxon’s spread offense was lead by senior Stacey Smith, who completed 16 of 25 passing attempts for 249 yards. He also ran for 38 yards.

Barrington’s defense was able to force five turnovers, however, three on downs and two fumble recoveries.

“It was just a great team win,” Sanchez concluded. “Our defense stepped up, and it was tough because they have some great skill guys who came up with big plays.”

With the win, Barrington closed the 2011 regular season on a three-game winning streak, which secured second place in the MSL West behind Palatine.

“Last year, unfortunately, we were unable to do something like this,” Sanchez said. “We ended up losing our last three. This year, we lost a tough game to Palatine, but then won our next three, against three very good

teams. To finish the season in two playoff-like atmospheres, you got to think that will only help us going into November.”

“I think it’s a great sign that our last three games have been our biggest three wins, so we have great momentum going into the playoffs,” Handler added.

© 2012 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be copied or distributed without permission. For more information about reprints and permissions, visit www.suntimesreprints.com. To order a reprint of this article, click here.