The Palatine Pirates trampled over the Schaumburg Saxons 51-18 to claim the Mid-Suburban West Conference title.
Palatine finishes the regular season with a record of 8-1, while remaining perfect in conference play at 5-0.
Schaumburg saw their record drop to 7-2 and 4-2 in the conference.
Palatine’s offense came out hot, as they scored on their very first possession on a sixty-five yard drive that took thirteen plays. Senior quarterback Ethan Olles finished off the drive on a one-yard rush up the middle to put the Pirates up early 7-0.
After Schaumburg struggled to get anything going on their first drive, Palatine followed up with a rushing touchdown by senior Cam Kuska. Schaumburg totaled negative two yards in the first quarter.
Palatine added two touchdowns before the half, one by Kuska and another by senior John Serio.
In the first half alone, Palatine had eighteen first downs compared to Schaumburg’s one which was a precursor for the Pirates dominance in the second half.
The Pirates’ stout defense made its presence known as it limited Schaumburg’s offense to a meager 40 yards and forcing a turnover in the first half. Palatine’s defense would end the night with four turnovers.
Schaumburg was able to put some points on the scoreboard on a third quarter touchdown pass to Stacy Smith.
Palatine’s coach Tyler Donnelly was impressed with his team’s performance, “We stepped up all year long. And we did it again tonight. We were motivated and to win outright.”
In his last regular season game as senior, Olles threw for 315 passing to break the school’s all-time passing record.
“It’s a good accomplishment to have, and I was not really aware of it,” Olles said. “But the receivers and linemen, they make me look so good.”
