Marengo’s 2nd win a milestone

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MARENGO – Marengo’s football team held on to beat Aurora Central Catholic on Saturday, 14-10, but not without a few tense moments late in fourth quarter.

Junior defensive back Adam Hartje’s interception with less than a minute remaining in the game sealed the win. Although he is listed at 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, he played much bigger than his size during the game’s final moments.

“That was my best game as a varsity player, but we will also have to be ready [for Winnebago] next week,” Hartje said.

After winning one of 36 games the previous four seasons, the Indians (2-0) have won their first two this year.

With Marengo ahead, 14-10, and ACC (0-2) facing fourth-and-1 from the Indians’ 30-yard line with 1:40 to play, Hartje leveled a crunching hit on Chargers receiver Andrew Schmied, who appeared to catch a short pass for a drive-continuing first down. However, after the hit by Hartje, Schmied dropped the ball, forcing the Chargers to turn the ball over on downs.

After a four-and-out, and a nearly costly 6-yard punt by Marengo with 37 seconds to play, ACC took possession at the Indians’ 43. Two plays later, Hartje clinched the victory with an interception just inside his team’s 25-yard line.

Marengo coach Matt Lynch, who was animated on the sidelines throughout the contest, breathed a huge sigh of relief afterward.

“It’s wasn’t just one guy out there [making plays],” Lynch said. “We stuck with our game plan the whole way.”

Junior running back Bobby Gaines was the Indians’ workhorse, carrying 26 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. He gained 105 rushing yards in the second half on 20 carries.

Although starting the season 2-0 might have some satisfied, Marengo has much bigger goals in mind.

“We have to do everything better,” Lynch said. “We have to correct some mistakes and get ready for next week’s game.”

ACC did little to help its own cause Saturday, committing 10 penalties.

“That’s why we lost the game,” Aurora coach Mike Curry said. “Penalties.”