Red Raiders seek bounce back win

HUNTLEY — While the Huntley football squad came so close to an upset win over Cat-Grove in a 44-32 loss last Friday, the Red Raiders aim to keep their playoff hopes strong at Dundee-Crown Oct. 18.

The Chargers come in with a 2-5, 2-5 Fox Valley Conference record while HHS is 4-3, 4-3. D-C’s wins came over Crystal Lake South and Hampshire.

“We know we have to win out to make the playoffs,” HHS coach Mike Naymola said. “We have to play well to earn another seven days, because we know only a few weeks of football are guaranteed.”

Naymola commented on the Chargers’ challenge.

“D-C has played everyone tough and I expect them to continue that trend,” Naymola said. “They run a lot of formations so our defense has a lot of preparation for but I think they will be ready to go Friday. We are eager to get the bad taste of the Cary-Grove loss out of our mouth. If we continue to do what we’ve been doing well on offense. I think will be able to move the ball effectively and score points consistently. We, as always, have to limit mistakes in all three phases of the game.”

Thriller goes to Trojans

Huntley and C-G’s squads did not disappoint for those wishing to see another thriller last Friday at Red Raider Stadium. Huntley had won the last two contests, on a final play two-point conversion in 2023 and a defensive stand in 2022.

Cary-Grove dominated  the final six minutes, scoring 15 unanswered points in a 44-43 shocker Oct. 11. The Trojans left with their FVC lead safe, at 7-0, 7-0. The 77-points battle came down to a two-point conversion pass by C-G with 1:22 left.

Huntley had two 14-point leads, thanks to quarterback Braylon Bower’s passing game working to Wyatt Fleck for three touchdown passes, while Jordan Oruche caught one for 41 yards. Collin Hochmuth added a two-point conversion and Fiebig (24 carries, 140 yards) had a 67-yard TD run.

“We played competitive football for three and one-half quarters. But when the defense needed it most, we did not put the offensive guys in the right positions, and that’s on me,” Naymola said.

Fiebig’s contributed a 67-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. He finished with 140 yards rushing on 14 carries and five tackles on defense.

Bower finished with 27 completions passing for 287 yards and four touchdowns.

Bower said he and Fleck have clicked since Fleck joined the Huntley program this summer after playing football for two years at St. Viator. Fleck has caught eight touchdown passes and snared 13 passes for 162 yards against C-G.

“I love Wyatt Fleck. I trust in him and he trusts in me. Tonight I said we need him and he said, “I have your back’. I’m very proud of how we played.”

When Fleck caught his 13th pass of the night and third touchdown from three yards to cap an 80-yard drive, and Dominic Giuseffi added the PAT, Huntley led 43-29 with six minutes left. This followed a 13-yarder touchdown pass from Bower to Fleck for a 36-29 margin in the third quarter.

Bower led the rushing game with 18 carries for 89 yards and one touchdown and Reichen Dvorak added 19 carries for 81 yards.

After the Dundee-Crown game, the Red Raiders’ regular season finale is hosting Burlington Central (5-2, 5-2) on senior night Oct. 25.