Detton Tietjens’ quick thinking helps secure Palatine’s rivalry win over undefeated Fremd

The ball squeaked out of the pile and rolled into the end zone. Both sides of the city of Palatine waited for a split second and then senior Detton Tietjens fell on the ball.

Tietjens’ fumble recovery with 49 seconds left sealed a 28-21 rivalry win for Palatine over No. 8 Fremd on Thursday.

“It was mixed up with all the linemen and then it popped out,” Tietjens said. “That’s just instinct to fall on the ball. But senior year against your rival, that is a special moment.”

Fremd (6-1, 2-1 Mid-Suburban West) entered undefeated, riding high on a mountain of hype after knocking off Barrington in Week 6 with a record-setting performance from quarterback Johnny O’Brien.

The Northwestern recruit was terrific again, finishing 24 for 39 for 374 yards and 2 TDs. But Palatine dominated on both sides of the line. The Pirates’ defense held Fremd to just 62 rushing yards.

Palatine won the battle on both lines. Pirates quarterback Will Santiago perfectly summed up the play of his offensive line: “I could pull out a blanket and sleep back there. I had all day. I’m really blessed to have a line like that.”

Santiago had 16 carries for 117 yards. He was 15 for 24 passing for 176 yards and 2 TDs. Santiago’s 17-yard TD pass to Ryan Donnelly with 53 seconds left in the third quarter gave the Pirates the lead for good.

Palatine (6-1, 3-0) missed a 33-yard field goal with 2:28 to play. That gave O’Brien and Fremd the ball and a chance to win or tie on the last drive. O’Brien drove the Vikings down to the 2 but then fumbled into the end zone on their final play.

“[Fremd] made us earn everything and then made us earn everything,” Palatine coach Corey Olson said. “We just did it in different ways. They couldn’t get the running game going. I kind of anticipated that. They were all pass. But they are pretty darn good at that.”

Junior Kole Fager was another beneficiary of Palatine’s offensive line. He had 15 carries for 68 yards and 2 TDs.

“The focus of this week was to pound the ball,” Fager said. “Not just to pound it but to be dominant. When we play Fremd we are dominant. We are domination. That’s our goal.”

Fager had five catches for 54 yards. Donnelly finished with seven receptions for 93 yards and two TDs.

Santiago made the right decisions, protecting the ball when he passed and running when there was an opportunity.

“[Santiago] is the guy we want to take the ball,” Fager said. “I trust him and I know our team trusts him.”

O’Brien connected with seven receivers. Brennan Saxe had 12 catches for 189 yards and two TDs. Marquan Brewster had four catches for 84 yards.

“This is a huge rivalry,” Tietjens said. “Growing up we all played together in youth football. Then once you get into high school you either go to Palatine or Fremd and split up. They are your friends growing up and then once you are here for Palatine vs. Fremd you aren’t as close anymore and this is a big one.”