Anthony Messina helps Addison Trail knock off Downers South

Updated: October 21, 2011 11:08PM

There’s a new king in the West Suburban Gold, and it’s Addison Trail.

The host Blazers beat Downers Grove South 20-14 Friday to snap the Mustangs’ 31-game conference winning streak and end their four-year reign atop the league standings.

In the fourth quarter, Anthony Messina scored on a one-yard run and on a 33-yard screen pass from Trevor Bermingham to give Addison Trail (8-1, 6-0) a 20-0 lead. The Blazers had taken a 7-0 lead in the second quarter when defensive lineman Tom Caputo scored his first career touchdown on a five-yard interception return off a pass that deflected off a Downers South offensive lineman’s helmet.

“I just looked up, and the ball was there,” Caputo said. “I was right next to the end zone, so I had to get it in.”

The Blazers held Downers South star running back Josh Williams to a season-low 59 yards on 21 carries, and the Mustangs had only three first downs in the first three quarters.

“[Caputo’s touchdown] was awesome; we always said this season that we need our defense to score,” Messina said. “Defense wins championships.”

Williams scored on a three-yard run with 5:02 left.

The Mustangs (8-1, 5-1) recovered an onside kick and scored two plays later on a 51-yard touchdown pass from AJ Simoncelli to Marco Scalzetti. Downers South’s last drive ended when Addison Trail’s Greg Schultz intercepted Simoncelli at Downers’ 39-yard line.

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