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Antioch knocks off Vernon Hills
Vernon Hills quarterback Brett Peterson (middle) attempts to elude two Antioch defenders during a game on Friday. | Jeff Krage~For Sun-Times Media
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Updated: September 8, 2012 12:54AM
VERNON HILLS — One week after its offense produced nothing in a loss to Waukegan, Antioch’s offense posted a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, scored 22 consecutive points and made them stand up for a 22-10 victory over host Vernon Hills on Friday in the North Suburban Conference Prairie Division opener for both teams.
Antioch (2-1 overall) has a showdown at North Chicago next week while Vernon Hills (1-2) is at Wauconda.
In Friday’s battle, the Cougars drew first blood when Jeremy Cohen’s 24-yard field goal produced an early 3-0 lead.
But Anthony Cloe returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to the Cougar 17. From there, Antioch scored in four plays, with Austin Klotter getting the final 4 yards.
In the final two minutes of the first quarter, Antioch capitalized on a shanked punt to grab a 15-3 lead.
Taking over at Vernon Hills’ 47, Alan Taylor took it to the house on the very next play, and a two-point conversion pass made it a 15-3 game.
Antioch then stretched the lead to 22-3 early in the third quarter as Taylor hooked up with Lazarz for a 5-yard scoring pass. The drive took seven plays and covered 37 yards after a fumble recovery.
Vernon Hills finally got its offense going and found the end zone with 6:26 left to play on a 1-yard run by backup QB Jacob Hallendorff.
For the winners, Taylor carried 18 times for 80 yards and Kloetter rushed 22 times for 77 yards.
For Vernon Hills, Sam Maloof carried nine times for 77 yards.
“Our offensive line blocked really well tonight and our backs found the holes,” Antioch’s Taylor said. “Our defense gave us great field position today. I was really happy with how they played.”
Cloe had a huge game, adding a pick and fumble recovery to his big kickoff return.
“Coming off our loss last week, we really picked it up,” he said. “Our defense played with a great amount of energy tonight.”
Antioch coach Brian Glashagel was happy to be 1-0 in the division.
“This was a huge win for us. It was a playoff-type game, if you look at the schedule,” he said. “Our defense played outstanding tonight, and the kickoff return was a huge play for us as well.”
