By Jack Mathews
Executive Sports Editor
Since the last minute loss to Elk Grove the Knights have known that they have to win the rest of their games if they want any chance of making the playoffs.  It was clearly evident in their style of play on Friday night when they beat rival Rolling Meadows in the final minutes of the Knight’s homecoming game.  Sam Frasco led the final minute heroics as he completed a pair of passes to junior receiver Devin O’Hara and then ran it in from one yard out with 43 seconds left to top off an 89 yard drive.
This would be the firsts points of the second half and the last points of the game, enough to keep the Knights playoff hopes alive and spark the rushing of the field by the fans after the Mustangs drove to the opposing 20 yard line but overthrew the ball in the end zone in the last seconds.
After coming up short on their final drive against Elk Grove, Frasco and team spent extra time in practice with the two minute drill.
“Since the Elk Grove game we have done it every practice…” Frasco said. “We knew if we had the chance again we were going to be successful.”
As the 2001 state championship team looked on after celebrating their ten year team reunion the Knights scored on their first drive of the game from a run by Frasco and then in the second quarter with a 28 yard pass to O’Hara.
“I think [the 2001 team] had a big impact on how we play because the team put Prospect football on map,” Frasco said.
With the help of a ball control offense (Frasco and running back junior Sam Mazukelli combined for 58 carries and 263 rushing yards) and solid defensive play (2 fumble recoveries)  the Knights held the usually explosive Mustang offense to their second lowest point total in a game this season.
The Knights now have another ‘win or stay home’ game against division rival Buffalo Grove (1-7). Prospect has played well in conference games so far as they improved to a 3-1 conference record Friday night and are focused on winning their last game and making the playoffs.
“Our team has had a sense of urgency all year,” Frasco said. “But I feel everyone has been very focused [lately] because we know we need to take care of business.”