Red Raiders seek to shock Wolves
HUNTLEY — Homecoming week and all its festivities will conclude when the Red Raiders battle Prairie Ridge in a Fox Valley Conference showdown at 7 p.m. Sept. 20.
Huntley, 2-1, will try and bounce back from a 26-15 loss to Jacobs in the annual clash of rivals Sept. 13.
The Wolves, defending FVC champs, are 3-0 and a top-10 ranked team. Their offense has already topped the 100-point mark. Quarterback Luke Vanderwiel and running backs Jake Wagler and Jack Finn lead the potent offense.
“Prairie Ridge is an incredible challenge and we look forward for the chance to play them,” Huntley coach Mike Naymola said. “We have to clean up our game and find a new level of physicality in order to have a chance. I think our team is up for the challenge. It will be nice to be back on our home turf and Homecoming is always a special time for the seniors.”
After a low-scoring contest for much of the game, the fourth quarter saw both Huntley and Jacobs find the end zone. Jacobs was ahead 19-15 when its defense stopped a Huntley scoring drive. But the offense was up against the Golden Eagles’ end zone. Huntley tried to force a safety, but on the third down, Jacobs’ running back T.O. Boddie got free and raced down the sideline for a 99-yard touchdown to seal the Golden Eagles’ triumph.
“We put ourselves in a position to win, but they answered our challenge. I credit them (Jacobs) for their resiliency, but we’ll bounce back and be better for it.”
Down 7-0, the Red Raiders marched 40 yards in the third quarter, after a defensive stop, with Reichen Dvorak’s one-yard touchdown run and a PAT by Dom Giuseffi giving the visitors a 7-6 lead. After Jacobs went ahead, Bower connected with Jordan Oruche for a 30-yard TD pass. Then Grant Tucker caught a tipped ball on a pass from Bower for a two point conversion and a 15-12 HHS lead.
Two fourth quarter scores by the home squad proved too much for Huntley to overcome. With the win, Jacobs joined Huntley and Burlington Central with 2-1 FVC records behind league leading PR and Cary-Grove.
Bower finished with 10 for 16 passing for 109 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also had 95 yards rushing on 16 carries to lead the 170-yard ground game. Dvorak had 44 yards on 11 rushes and his TD, while Gavin Havens contributed 30 yards on 10 carries.
Leaders on defense were Ari Fiebig with 12 tackles and five assists. Meanwhile, Dylan Pease contributed six solo tackles and two assists; Ryan Wabel had six solo tackles and Colin Masten finished with six solo tackles, two assists and two tackles for loss.
