Huntley’s 37-20 Fox Valley Conference triumph over Jacobs fulfilled what was an emotional night on multiple levels Sept. 16.
HUNTLEY – The HHS victory gave each team a 4-1 record, 4-1 FVC, through five games and reignited a league race for the championship. Almost all of the league can now shoot for the FVC crown, including the Red Raiders’ next foe, Cary-Grove (3-2, 3-2 FVC), on the road Sept. 30. Jacobs (4-1, 4-1 FVC) had outscored was ranked third in Class 7A.
Another significant aspect of the night was that the Red Raiders honored the memory of longtime youth football coach Larry Coriato. Family members gathered at midfield for halftime recognition. Coriato guided the Huntley youth program, then known as the Mustangs, for many years.
Red Raiders junior Zach Garifo completed a lineman’s dream with a blocked punt he was able to turn into a 44-yard touchdown run and a 17-0 second quarter lead.
“They had not touched me on the punt before,” Garifo said. “So I got in untouched from a guard position. The ball just fell into my hands.”
After the win, Huntley quarterback Sam Deligio greeted some of his former long-time Jacobs teammates at midfield. The senior opened the scoring, after a turnover on downs, with a 60-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Witt. Witt was wide open for the score, which came six minutes into the contest.
“I thought it was Deligio’s best game at quarterback,” Huntley head coach Mike Naymola said. “It was a tough week for Deligio, as he transferred here from Jacobs two years ago. They’re a great team but we were able to put them in situations that made them feel uncomfortable.”
Deligio later scored a touchdown on a two-yard run that expanded the lead to 31-14 in the fourth quarter. He finished completing 72 percent of his passes for 109 yards.
“It was tough,” Deligio said of meeting the Golden Eagles. “I’ve been working since June with coach Naymola and offensive coordinator Mike Slattery who has been a great help, with my footwork and throwing. The word of the week from coach Naymola was discipline.”
A long run by Connor Ardell, who had 44-and 19-yard rush gain, helped set up a 20-yard field goal by senior Mason Wojtas for a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.
The Golden Eagles had a few big plays, including a 76-yard touchdown run from Antonio Brown that cut the lead to 17-7 with 4:26 left in the first half. HHS drove inside the Jacobs 5-yard line on its next possession but a fumble was recovered by the Golden Eagles.
Brown again paced a Jacobs’ scoring drive and his two-yard run closed the gap to 17-14 with 5:30 left in the third.
Huntley went to the air and the ground and air attacks for the answer. Jacob Witt caught a pass from Delogio after an Ardell run. Ardell finished it with a six-yard carry for a score and a 24-14 hosts’ lead. Shouts of “overrated” grew louder at the HHS side.
HHS standout running back junior Haiden Janke, who had rushed for 542 yards to date and four touchdowns, made it five with a 10-yard run to complete the HHS scoring with 6:30 left. He had 30 carries for 145 yards against the Golden Eagles.
Jacobs notched one more touchdown on its next drive but the skillful HHS offensive line led Janke and Zach Rios runs to run out the clock.
Zach Rysavy snared an interception for Huntley and returned it 18 yards in the fourth quarter and had one fumble recovery. DaShaun Manning chalked up five tackles and James Lang added three and one sack.
The Red Raiders out-rushed Jacobs, 283-274 yards.
