Royals retain jug

ELGIN -- Larkin's plan for Saturday's Town Jug game was a simple one: Keep the ball away from Elgin's high-powered offense.

The Royals executed that plan to a tee in the second half thanks to a dedicated ground attack, and that translated into a 15-6 triumph at Memorial Field in the second lowest scoring Town Jug game since 1991.

Larkin enjoyed nearly a 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession in the second half. The Royals (4-4, 3-3 Upstate Eight Conference) also dominated the turnover battle, recovering four fumbles and recording one interception while only committing one turnover.

With the win, Larkin gets possession of the city's new Town Jug, which replaces the original that ran out of space to record the annual game's final score.

The Royals now lead the varsity series 30-17. In addition, Larkin tied a record for the longest winning streak in series history with its seventh consecutive triumph against Elgin. The Royals also won seven straight from 1993-99.

"It's a brand new jug and nothing's been on it, so we wanted to make the first one a 'W,' " Larkin senior Jeff Saurbaugh said.

There was one notable absence as Elgin standout receiver/linebacker Jamal Cook was not in uniform.

"It's a personal issue, that's all I can say," Maroons coach Dave Bierman said.

Clinging to a narrow 8-6 lead, Larkin's plan was in full effect early in the third quarter. The Royals took the opening kick in the second half and ground out 11 consecutive running plays before turning the ball over on downs at Elgin's 1-yard line.

The Maroons (1-7, 1-4) were forced to punt four plays later, and Larkin answered with a five-play, 26-yard drive that ended when Saurbaugh scored on a 15-yard run to put the Royals ahead 15-6 with 1:44 left in the third quarter.

"We wanted to come out in the second half and play harder than we did in the first half and get (Elgin) weary and get them back against the wall and keep pounding it," said Larkin junior Jalen Williams, who rushed 21 times for 158 yards.

Despite facing a nine-point deficit, Elgin appeared to be in prime position to pull back within one possession when it forced Larkin to punt from its own end zone early in the fourth quarter.

However, Elgin's Matt Webb tried to field the punt while streaking down the left sideline and fumbled the catch, giving Larkin possession at its own 27-yard line.

That turnover was indicative of the way things went for the Maroons.

Senior quarterback Tom Roth fumbled on a punt return in the first quarter, and the Royals capitalized when senior Brandon Cooks scored three plays later on an 8-yard touchdown run and added a two-point conversion run to put Larkin ahead 8-0.

A 3-yard touchdown run from Deandre Forrest pulled Elgin within 8-6 with 5:33 left in the first half, and the Maroons seemed poised to take the lead when they marched to Larkin's 18-yard line following a Tim Newcombe interception.

However, Elgin returned the favor when a pass from Roth over the middle was tipped and intercepted by Larkin's Yousef Salem in the end zone, ending the Maroons' best chance of pulling ahead.

"We were real frustrated with the turnovers," Roth said. "With a team like Larkin, you can't turn the ball over and expect to win. We just had too many mistakes today. That's the bottom line."

Added Bierman, an Elgin alum: "The kids fought hard and I don't question their effort. Sometimes we've just got to be a little smarter with what we do. You're not expected to make those mistakes in Week 8."

Bierman did confirm that Cook wasn't facing any disciplinary action. Roth added that he and his teammates expected Cook -- the area's second-leading receiver -- to be in uniform.

Cook's mother, Thelma Dunner, said after the game when reached by telephone that her son did not play for "personal reasons."

"There was a miscommunication with the school," Dunner said. "He's not in trouble. But we just couldn't get it resolved (Friday night). He should be back Monday."

Larkin senior Anthony Barracks, who came up with a key fumble recovery for the Royals late in the second quarter, was especially disappointed to not see Cook.

"That's my cousin and I wanted to play him," Barracks said. "I don't know what happened or anything. I'll call him right after the game. It would have been better to play with him."