Sports
With Dramatic Victory, Warriors Are 3-1
In second home game of year, Warriors stay undefeated at Adams Field, with 16-13 victory over Schaumburg
DEERFIELD - It was a humid September night, as the Deerfield Warriors faced off in their fourth, and final non-conference game of the season. The 2-1 Warriors came in against the 2-1 Schaumburg Saxons.
Previously, the Warriors defeated Grayslake North on the road in week two. In week three, the Warriors were at Rolling Meadows, facing off against the alma mater of Jimmy Garoppolo. Despite putting up a tough fight, the Warriors lost in double overtime, 31-24.
Nonetheless, the Warriors came in with high expectations. After a strong performance three weeks in a row, it was time to return under the lights of Adams Field.
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It was a slow game early on, the game was scoreless through the first quarter. The Warriors scored a touchdown in the second, going ahead 7-0 at the half. At the half, it was clear this was the type of game that would come down to the last minute.
"We just keep playing football," said head coach Steve Winiecki. "When everything works together, that happens."
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But it wasn't all bright and cheery for the Warriors. With two and a half minutes left in the game, the Warriors found themselves deep in their own territory, on their own one yard line. Down 13-10, Ryan Nagelbach threw a bomb downfield. After the ball deflected off of the defender's hand, Collin Ward came up with the ball, he took it all the way to the endzone for a 99 yard touchdown. With that, Deerfield went ahead 16-13 and never looked back.
"Our team is in a really great place heading into conference," said Collin Ward. "We are so close to getting to the next level of dominating teams. Our guys are always ready to play and take care of business."
Looking forward, the Warriors travel to Des Plaines to open up the Central Suburban League North schedule against Maine West. With a 3-1 start, the Warriors are looking to make a return to the IHSA football playoffs, as they are just two wins away from being playoff eligible, after missing out last season.
Be sure to follow the Deerfield Patch to stay up to date on the Deerfield Warriors football season.
Jake Leahy is a 2017 Deerfield High School graduate, Bannockburn school board member, and founder of Ladders LLC.