Janke learned skills with line play
Editor’s note: this is the first of a series highlighting Huntley’s football team senior leaders.
HUNTLEY — Huntley standout running back Haiden Janke has been racking up the yards and touchdowns for two seasons now.
Through seven Red Raiders games, and a 6-1 HHS record, Janke has amassed 854 total rushing yards on 128 carries and 17 touchdowns, heading into the senior night game, Oct. 13 against Dundee-Crown.
Janke answered senior player survey questions.
Describe the togetherness of the senior class and any position changes for you since?
Janke: “My freshman year I did not get to play with my senior class. I got pulled up to varsity to play linebacker. We were all determined our senior year to have an outstanding season and from all the recent games we’ve played, I definitely think the team followed through.”
Describe your youth football days, other sports growing up:
Janke: “Growing up I was a two-sport athlete, football and baseball. My youth football days were mostly offensive line and defensive line because I was too big to play a skilled position. One thing I take from my youth days is blocking that I’ve learned.”
Any recent graduates who have helped influence your work ethic?
Janke: “Alumni who have helped me are Alex Janke, Kyle Alther and Deshawn Manning. They all showed me different ways to think about football and Alex Janke pushed me to never look back and always finish.”
Most outstanding game so far?
Janke: “My most outstanding game this year was against Crystal Lake South (a 54-43 win). I had three touchdowns, for 34, 66 and five yards, On my 34-yards touchdown run, I stiff armed a player to the ground and ran for another 20 yards and trucked the kid for a touchdown. Also my blocking was on point during that game.”
Biggest challenge and how you overcame it?
Janke: “When I was younger, I was too big to play with my friends on my youth football team so everyday before and after football, I would run two miles, one before and one after.”
What will you miss most about HHS? College selection, major decided?
Janke: “I will miss my friends and coaches at HHS. I will also miss playing on Friday Nights. Talking to a few colleges, but major is undecided.”
Professional athlete you admire?
Janke: “Walter Payton (the late Bears Hall of Famer). His performance inspired me because how he played the game.”
Team goals the remainder of the season?
Janke: “To win the rest of our games and to have a home playoff game. The second one is to make it past the first round of playoffs and see where it goes from there.”
