With two key skill players hobbled, Buffalo Grove needed to find some additional sources of offense Friday in Deerfield.
The Bison appear to have unearthed a gem in junior Max Oberman. The 5-foot-7, 150-pound running back, receiver and cornerback caught a 71-yard touchdown pass and was the most dangerous ballcarrier for Buffalo Grove, which scored twice in the first half and held on for a 14-7 win.
Oberman carried the ball 18 times for 112 yards as the Bison (2-1) won despite playing without Northern Illinois-bound senior running back Tom Trieb (hip). Junior running back/receiver Christopher Huber also was injured in the first half.
“I switch off as a running back and receiver. I didn’t expect to get this many (carries),” said Oberman, who lives in Arlington Heights. “(The touchdown catch) gave me a lot of confidence.”
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Midway through the first quarter, Buffalo Grove senior quarterback Connor Adams found Oberman streaking down the sideline for a long touchdown pass that put the Bison up 7-0. It was the first varsity touchdown for Oberman, who saw some time as a slot receiver and kick returner as a sophomore.
“I just had the corner beat, then I caught it and I knew I would be faster than the safety. I just outran him,” Oberman said.
Adams added a 7-yard touchdown run on the Bison’s next possession to put Buffalo Grove up 14-0 early in the second quarter. The Bison maintained their two-touchdown advantage at halftime.
Adams finished 7-for-8 passing for 144 yards with a TD pass, a TD run and two interceptions.
Oberman took center stage in the second quarter. His breakout speed was on display as he helped the Bison keep churning.
“He’s an explosive football player,” Buffalo Grove coach Jeff Vlk said. “He’s a little guy, but that doesn’t stop him. He’s going to put his head down and run into anybody.”
Adams said he is happy to have Oberman as a pass-catching target or lining up behind him in the backfield.
“He’s a vertical threat, he can just run past guys,” said Adams, who also lives in Arlington Heights. “That’s always nice, give (Oberman) the ball and have him make plays. Especially putting him in the backfield, he really stepped up for us tonight. He can do everything.”
“I think it was big to show that even without our injured guys that we can still get the job done,” Oberman added. “People stepped up. It was awesome.”
Deerfield had a chance right down to the final play, but junior quarterback Ryan Nagelbach’s final pass over the middle was appropriately broken up by Oberman.