Garifo’s double duty includes ‘pick six’

HUNTLEY — Senior Zack Garifo sat at one end of the Huntley bench, sipping water and taking a breather, accepting congratulations from teammates and coaches.

Garifo, a football team captain and defensive back, accomplished a defender’s dream when he raced an interception back 90 yards for a touchdown against rival Jacobs, for a 33-7 Huntley lead. The Red Raiders added one more score for a convincing 40-21 rout of their neighbors Sept. 8. Huntley secured a 3-0, 3-0 Fox Valley Conference record with equally outstanding efforts on offense and defense.

“I got a great block from teammate Jack Coss, then it was open field,” Garifo said. “It felt great.”

Garifo’s play stopped a fourth down play from the Golden Eagles at the Huntley 25 yard-line.

He did not have much time for a break, as he still had some second half defense to play. He also added some other duties Friday.

“This is the first time we’ve used him on offense,” HHS coach Mike Naymola said. “He is so athletic. The plan was to have him opposite Haiden Janke but he had an ankle injury and is just now 100 percent.”

Garifo also caught a 21-yard pass from quarterback Braylon Bower. On another play on defense, he stopped a 50-yard Jacobs run.

Garifo explained the nuisances of an interception – he led the team as he gained All-FVC honors last year and thanked the prep work done by defensive coordinator Paul Reinke and his staff.

On HHS’s Youth Football Night to highlight the Red Raider Youth Program, Garifo, recalls his days as a member of the Red Raider youth football program. “I had scoring plays of 80 and 85-yards on this field,” Garifo said.

In addition to Garifo’s touchdown, he had six tackles. Jack Coss had six tackles, two for loss. Ryan Sweeney contributed four tackles and one sack. Jacobs had drives end by turnovers and was one for four on fourth-down conversions.

Garifo’s dad, Kyle, who played football at Buffalo Grove, is on the sidelines as he coaches the HHS freshmen squad and assists on varsity.

The offense included a steady dose of Haiden Janke.

Janke has nine touchdowns after his third TD night with scores of one, eight and 54-yards. He finished with 12 carries for 104 yards.

Bower was a force throwing the ball, 11 for 11 to total 136 yards and two touchdowns. Bower’s 40-yard TD toss to Jacob Witt gave the Red Raiders needed first half momentum. He also threw a five-yard TD pass to Jordan Pochicha. That was all part of a 40-0 blitz until the Jacobs’ late fourth stanza scores.

“We were on the same seven-on-seven team this summer,” Witt, a veteran receiver, said. “That’s when I knew he (Bower) could throw.”

Witt ended with five receptions for 84 yards and the touchdown.

Balance was a goal for the Red Raiders’ offense since the start of summer camp.

“Janke does what Janke does, he’s a punishing runner,” Naymola said. “But we want teams to have to cover the whole field and we mixed in the passing. I was very impressed with how super balanced we were with the efficient passing. Defensively, we took away what Jacobs wants to do, run the ball and they were out of their element.”

The rivalry element was part of the win, as Huntley also had a key win over Jacobs last season. “It’s a tough game and we always seem to bring our “A” game,” Naymola said.

Up next

It’s on to another key FVC test at Prairie Ridge Sept. 15. Huntley, Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove are all tied at 3-0, 3-0 atop the FVC. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Defensively first two games

“Our defense is predicated on everyone doing their job,” Naymola said before the Jacobs game. “Just because someone’s name hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet doesn’t mean they aren’t playing great defense. Having said that, Colin Matsen has made some incredible open field tackles that have prevented big plays by the opposing offenses. Garifo is a returning all conference player, so it’s not surprising to me that he stands out. He’s a gifted athlete with a nose for the ball. Charlie Condon is very similar to Garifo. He always seems to be around the football which usually leads to good things for us.

“Every year I am impressed with our defense and how they are able to adapt to the different styles of offense we see throughout the year. Our defensive coordinator, Paul Reinke, doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to prepare each week for our opponents.”