Patrick Mack’s first carry turned out to be all the offense Prospect would need to put itself in position for a playoff berth.
His return from an early-season concussion gives Prospect hope for another successful postseason run.
Mack ran for 176 yards, including touchdown runs of 44 and 87 yards, to lead Prospect to a 14-0 victory over host Buffalo Grove on Friday night in a battle of .500 teams trying to secure a state playoff berth.
Prospect (5-4, 3-2 Mid-Suburban East), which won the Class 7A state title in 2001, 2002 and 2005 under current coach Brent Pearlman, figures to have earned enough playoff points to be included in the postseason field when the pairings are announced Saturday night.
“I had huge holes to run through,” said Mack, who missed five games with the concussion before returning for last week’s 28-0 victory over Elk Grove. “It is great to be back and to be headed back to the playoffs.”
Prospect quarterback Miles Osei added 104 yards rushing out of the spread option attack and Patrick Ziegenfuss had two of Prospect’s three interceptions in an outstanding all-around showing by the Knights.
“He is definitely a playmaker, so it is nice to have him back,” Osei said of Mack.
“He is a definite threat, and our line was opening up huge seams.”
Junior running back Josh Hampton, who fueled Buffalo Grove’s 12-10 upset over Rolling Meadows last week, managed to gain 103 yards on 21 carries against Prospect, but the Bison (4-5, 3-2) could not maintain any offense all night.
Mack gave Prospect the lead for good the first time he touched the ball, sprinting 44 yards with 5 minutes 44 seconds left in the first quarter.
His 87-yard scoring run put Prospect ahead by two touchdowns with 1:10 left in the first half.
“Miles made a great read, the outside receiver made a great block to seal his man off and the line did an awesome job all night,” Mack said.
