In Argo’s last two meetings against arch-rival Reavis, both of them losses, the Argonauts defense allowed a combined 69 points.
Heading into Week 3’s South Suburban Red opener for both teams, Argo vowed things would be different this season.
They were, as a stingy, hard-hitting defense helped the Argonauts (3-0, 1-0 South Suburban Red) to a 17-9 victory.
“The focus for us was that our defense is our strength,” Argo head coach Phillip Rossberg said. “We squeezed the box a little and we stoned them more than we’ve done in the past.”
The win was Argo’s third in the past 11 meetings between the two programs. Reavis had won the previous two meetings, 35-28 in 2022 and 34-14 last year.
“It was Homecoming for us and we wanted to turn this rivalry back our way,” “It’s an intense, fun matchup and it’s an old-school rivalry. We had some fun.”
Through three games this season, the Argonauts have outscored their opponents 88-9.
Anchoring Argo’s defense against the Rams was senior inside linebacker Maciej Jarosz, who finished with 16 tackles. Christian Zubek had an interception.
“Maciej Jarosz was an absolute animal,” Rossberg said. “He was all over the field going sideline-to-sideline, sifting through and finishing. He set the tone that we’re not here to mess around.”
Running back Steven Holmes continued his strong play as he ran 17 times for 132 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown jaunt in the second quarter. Senior quarterback Javoris Cotton had 11 carries for 82 yards and a score.
The Rams (2-1, 0-1 South Suburban Red) scored on a 9-yard pass from Jonathan Liesen to Nick Pryor.
“This was just a team win,” Rossberg said. “Kids stepped up and made plays and I’m very happy about that. It’s the little things that make you so happy and this was for the kids who grind it out during the week in practice.”