Football squad aims to start home games strong
HUNTLEY — After a solid effort in all facets in the season opener, Huntley is set to welcome McHenry in the Red Raiders’ first home football clash Sept. 6. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
“McHenry is a different team than last year,” Huntley coach Mike Naymola said. “They play fast and aggressive on film and we look forward to the challenge they present. They were two yards shy of a win last week and I’m sure that will only motivate them more to get ready for us. I expect to see them improve even more each week they play.”
The season’s first week concluded with a 35-7 victory for Huntley at Crystal Lake Central. McHenry, winless last season, is poised to be more competitive this year was just that in a 17-16 overtime loss to Hampshire in week one.
Against Crystal Lake Central, the Huntley defense created good field position for the offense, which jumped at the chance for a 21-0 first quarter lead. Senior Charlie Condon III set the tone with an interception, leading to a 20-yard pass from senior quarterback Braylon Bower to Jordan Oruche. The visitors were off and running.
“I feel real good about the win. I thought the defense set the tone early with the turnovers. We kind of had the defense on a short leash during the summer but tonight we unleashed them,” Naymola said. “They were flying around and created opportunities early with good field position.”
Huntley also had the ball at the CLC side the second possession, as the defense forced a punt. Senior running back Reichen Dvorak finished that drive with a 3-yard TD run. A key sack led to the third first quarter score, as junior Gavin Havens scored on a short one-yard run and it was 21-0 visitors.
The leaders on defense included tackles leader Travis Dudycha, with seven total, two tackles for loss and two sacks; Mason Maldonado contributed four tackles and two TFLs. Ethan Albertson snared the second interception.
“We really bonded together all summer,” junior defensive lineman Maldonado said.
The offense included QB Bower throwing for three touchdowns, two to junior Wyatt Fleck. It’s been a homecoming for Fleck attended a private school, St. Viator, for his first two years. He came back to Huntley and is off to a good start as he caught touchdown passes, from 40 and 25 yards from Bower, had 102 yards total. HHS finished with a 208-18 pass yardage advantage and 93 to minus one yard rushing.
“Fleck has lived in Huntley for three years and decided he would rather be at a public school. We have three real good receivers, Oruche, Collin Hochmuth and Fleck who was in the right place at the right time tonight,” Naymola said.
“It was amazing. We worked well all summer,” Fleck said of Bower’s throws right on the mark.
The Tigers spoiled a shutout with a touchdown in the final seconds.
