Streamwood 19, East Aurora 14

One of the two teams playing at East Aurora Friday night was certain to take a much-needed step in the right direction.

Streamwood and the Tomcats each came in with identical 0-4 overall records, and 0-2 in the Upstate Eight Conference. Playing with a sense of determination, and maybe even a bit of desperation, the Sabres managed to grind out a 19-14 win.

"Both of these teams have been through a lot," Streamwood coach Calvin Cummins said. "Our kids invested a lot in this last week of practice and they came out and played with a lot of grit."

Kevin Wohlhart scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, and Kyle Holder was on the receiving end of a 43-yard scoring pass to provide the Sabres' winning margin.

"Kevin Wohlhart kept it going and we were able to score some touchdowns," Holder said. "We're just happy to get this win."

Though they never trailed, Streamwood found itself having to scrap all the way to the end as East Aurora moved to within 10 yards of a winning touchdown in the final minute.

"It would have been easy to fold there," Cummins said. "The kids made plays when they had to, and that's what it's about."

After a key 22-yard completion from Gabe Roman to Steve Graber, midway through the first quarter, moved the ball deep into East Aurora territory, Wohlhart tore-off a 24-yard run to the end zone, and the Sabres were on top, 7-0.

"I read my blocks and I just made the cuts," Wohlhart said. "My line was amazing tonight."

Wohlhart scored on a similar play, less than two minutes into the second quarter as his line punished East Aurora's and sprang the senior back for a 15-yard touchdown.

Though the kick failed, the Sabres were up 13-0. But not for long.

A facemask penalty on the kickoff gave East Aurora the ball at Streamwood's 38, and quarterback Richard Jimenez made the Sabres pay, taking the first snap through a hole in the middle, and all the way to the endzone.

Streamwood needed just three plays to build on its 13-7 halftime lead as Roman and Holder connected on the longest pass play of the night.

"I ran a good route, our line blocked, and we were able to make a play," Holder said.

The Tomcats answered less than a minute later on a 12-yard touchdown run by Michael Turner.

With Wohlhart sidelined by a minor but recurring injury, the Sabres turned to Daniel Poierier, who carried the workload in the fourth quarter, chewing up yardage and time.

"I was getting tired, but we got positive yards on every play and did what we had to do to win this game," Poierier said.