A frozen, wind-lashed crowd witnessed Maine West's dismantling of Palatine's football team last Saturday afternoon as the Warriors soundly trounced the Pirates, 40 to 14. One week before, in the battle for the Conference lead, the Warriors slipped through the mud to a 14 to 14 deadlock with Arlington. This left Maine with only two more contests, one of which, against Wheeling, will decide if the Warriors are to grab a piece of the Mid‑Suburban Conference title this year.

Maine's running attack was their bulwark in both games with Ken Mandelky shouldering much of the burden for the Warriors. Ken rushed for 152 yards against Arlington and t h e n scored three times for Maine in the Palatine contest. One of his touchdowns was a fabulous twisting run in which he refused to be tackled and finally rambled 64 yards to score.

Al Fritz scored both touchdowns for Maine in the tie with the Cardinals with one coming on a double reverse just as the first half ended. The second occurred late in the third period when Bob Banger took a pitchout from Murdock and lofted a pass to Fritz who sped down the left sideline for the score.

Several of Maine's touchdowns in the Palatine game directly resulted from their opponents' mistakes. Fritz picked up a loose ball in the third period and rolled to a score; later on an attempted Pirate punt, the punter's knee brushed the ground which made the ball dead and handed the ball to the Warriors on the 10‑yard line of Palatine.

Despite their dismal finish, Palatine came out from the opening kickoff like they were going to give the Warriors a battle as they held the West men without a first down on the opening series. After they took over, Palatine moved the ball well for their only time of the game. Their drive really began to roll when fullback Kinsella drove around right end for a sizeable gain. On an important third and five situation the Pirates again called in Kinsella, and he responded with a first down on the Warrior 9. Three plunges later Lynch hit off right tackle for the score and with the conversion Palatine led 7 to 0.

On the next set of downs, the Warriors picked up good gains from Manny and Banger to grind their way to the Palatine goal where Mandelky fought himself over the goal line for a Warrior score. Sanchez, who made good on five of seven attempts, booted through the extra point. Late in the second period, Mandelky scored again on a 64-yard gallop around right end, and the Warriors gained the lead that was never again challenged in the game.

Mid Suburban Conference Standings

Arlington 4-0-1
Maine West 3-0-1
Wheeling 3-1
Forest View 2-3
Palatine 1-3
Conant 1-3
Prospect 0‑4