Publications & Sites 
Maine East dismantles Amundsen, wins 50-0
Maine East halfback Christian Lopez runs for a long touchdown in the first half of Friday's home game against Chicago Amundsen. | J.Geil ~ For Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: September 1, 2012 2:31PM
PARK RIDGE — When the second chance presented itself, Mike Kuzebski was not going to be denied.
Kuzebski, a linebacker at Maine East, intercepted two passes on Friday night. He returned the second one 27 yards for a touchdown to help the host Blue Demons beat Amundsen 50-0.
“He (Amundsen quarterback Ean Cooper) threw the ball over a guy,” Kuzebski said. “When I caught it, I wasn’t going to stop. I didn’t want to fall down like I did before (on the earlier interception). I wanted a touchdown.”
Kuzebski was untouched during his second-quarter journey, which boosted the lead to 37-0.
The defense stifled the visitors throughout the first half. Maine East gave up only 25 total yards in the opening half and forced five turnovers. The fumble recoveries belonged to Ahmed Al-Rifadl, Almar Dankha and Chris Corey. The other big play was made by Federico Cabrales, who tackled Cooper for a safety.
Maine East (2-0) dominated on the other side of the ball as well. The Demons rolled up 274 yards in the first half, sparked by the work of halfback Christian Lopez. He collected 143 yards on six carries, highlighted by touchdown runs of 46, 21 and 28 yards.
“It all starts off with the line,” said Lopez, who burned Amundsen with a series of reverses.
Quarterback Alex Corey had the offense humming. In addition to running some effective ball fakes, Corey scored a pair of rushing touchdowns (2 and 9 yards).
“Alex knows exactly what to do and where to put the ball,” Lopez said. “He’s not scared of anything.”
Receiver Jalen Lewis rounded out the scoring by turning a reverse into a 44-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.
