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October 17, 2023

Huntley senior Bryce Walker eyes more yards against Cary-Grove in the Red Raiders' 29-28 win over the Trojans Oct. 7.
Steve Peterson
Huntley senior Bryce Walker eyes more yards against Cary-Grove in the Red Raiders’ 29-28 win over the Trojans Oct. 7.

Sports • October 17, 2023

Red Raiders ready for Rockets

By

HUNTLEY — The more than 20 Huntley senior football players worked to go out with a big splash against Dundee-Crown, on a night when the musical theme was likely “Rain Drops Keep Falling on My Head.”

The weather was frightful, from wind and drizzle to a downpour, but the Red Raiders dominated D-C, 35-7, Oct. 13 for a 7-1, 7-1 FVC record.

Senior Zach Rysavy made it a night he won’t soon forget. He returned a Chargers’ punt 50 yards for a touchdown.

“Rvsavy’s punt return was huge as it really put the game out of reach before the heavy rain fell,” Huntley coach Mike Naymola said. “He’s been close a few times this season to returning one and I’m glad he was able to punch one in.”

The offense got the job done as Huntley led 21-7 at halftime and added two second half scores.

“I was happy with the steady production,” Naymola said. “We averaged eight yards a play which is very good. Quarterback Braylon Bower was steady when we passed the ball, going 7-for-7 (77 yards). Janke controlled the run game with 125 yards rushing. Credit to the offensive line for controlling the line of scrimmage.”

Huntley totaled 189 yards rushing of 266 total yards. Janke rushing from 25 yards out to give the home team the lead. Senior Jacob Witt, meanwhile, added another touchdown catch from 28 yards and Bower ran it in from 36 yards.

A road game at Burlington Central (4-4, 4-4 FVC) concludes the regular season Oct. 20. The host Rockets won a 17-14 overtime win over Hampshire last week.

For the Red Raiders at stake is momentum for the Class 8A playoffs, which begin Oct. 27. Pairings will be announced by the IHSA this weekend and first round starting times Oct. 23. In the FVC, Prairie Ridge (8-0, 8-0), Huntley and Cary-Grove (6-2, 6-2) have secured playoff spots.

“We always lean on our senior leadership but this week will be very important as we have a lot to play for this week,” Naymola said. “With a win, we can claim a home playoff game and another eight-win season. I know our guys want nothing more than to host a playoff game. BC will be ready to go as they need a win to qualify for the playoffs. Prep will be business as usual for our guys. As I told the team after the game Friday night, they always seem to find a way and I’m confident they will at BC to finish the job. If we stay true to what we do to have success on both sides of the ball, I think we can find a way to win.”

Defensively against D-C, junior Charlie Condon snared a first quarter interception and led with seven solo tackles and three assists. Also senior Ryan sSweeney contributed four solo tackles and five assists; junior Carter Pope had five solos, one sack and one tackle for loss and senior Zack Garifo, the season’s leading tacker, tallied five solos and one assist.

Huntley’s defensive statistics leaders for the season are: Garifo has totaled 42 solo tackles, 16 assists, two interceptions, one touchdown; Pope has 36 tackles, 12 tackles for loss (TFL), two sacks while Sweeney also has 36 tackles, 21 assists, two sacks and one interception and Condon topped 30 tackles with 34 solos, 21 assists, five TFL and one interception.