Maine South scores on first three possessions, easily defeats Evanston

Maine South 35, Evanston 0

THE SKINNY

Any thoughts of an Evanston upset were put to rest early as Maine South grabbed a 21-0 lead in the opening quarter, scoring a pair of touchdowns in the first four minutes Friday in Park Ridge. Sophomore quarterback Brian Collis threw for three scores in the first half and the defense recorded its third shutout of the season. With its sixth win of the year, Maine South (6-2 overall, 4-0 CSL South) clinched a playoff berth.

TURNING POINT

Maine South was pinned deep in its own territory in the first quarter after a punt by Evanston (5-3, 1-3) forced the Hawks to start at their own 10-yard line. Collis drove his team 90 yards, connecting with junior receiver George Sargeant for a 5-yard touchdown as Maine South took a 21-0 lead. The Hawks converted two third downs on the 12-play drive.

THE STAR

Collis finished 17 of 27 for 197 yards and four touchdowns. He connected on his first seven pass attempts en route to throwing for 125 yards in the first half.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Maine South defense set up the team’s second touchdown of the game when junior linebacker Vinny Labus intercepted senior quarterback Chris Little at the Evanston 40-yard line and returned it to the 4. The Hawks only allowed the Wildkits to convert 3 of 12 third-down opportunities in the game, and Maine South limited Evanston to 5 yards of total offense in the first half.

QUOTABLE

“I thought we came out firing in all three phases. … Defense had the shutout and did some good things early on, not just to maintain the shutout but set the tone of the game.” — Maine South coach Dave Inserra