Huntley goes undefeated for first time
Huntley's remarkable season actually began immediately after last year's playoff loss to Palatine. It continued Friday as the Red Raiders capped off an undefeated regular season by downing Dundee-Crown, 43-6, in Carpentersville.
Eric Mooney scored 3 touchdowns as Huntley wrapped up the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title.
"We kind of had a dream, or a vision I might say, as soon as we lost the playoff game last year," said Huntley coach John Hart. "Our commitment and our hard work in the offseason is really what its all about and it's paid off. Our coaches and our kids have worked as hard as they possibly can to get to tis point."
The school-record tying ninth win wasn't as easy as the final score made it seem. Early in the second quarter, the Chargers lined up for a field goal with a chance to take the lead. It was blocked, and on the next play, Mooney raced 80 yards for a score. That put Huntley ahead 15-6 and the Red Raiders went on to score the game's final 35 points.
Mooney also scored on a 5-yard run and a 16-yard pass reception. Casey Haayer, Alec Koss, and backup quarterback Charles Mecozzi also scored for Huntley (9-0, 5-0).
The Chargers unveiled a secret weapon. Wide receiver-slotback Sean Jay turned quarterback, completing a pair of long passes. The first, a throw back to quarterback Patrick Sprouse that went for 56 yards, set up the Chargers' first score. Sprouse was dragged down at the 9-yard line after the long catch-and-run, but 2 plays later he took it in. Even though the 2-point conversion attempt was no good, the Chargers trailed just 8-6.
"It was just about us getting our feet on the ground," Hart said of the Raiders' slow start. "They did a nice job of giving us a couple of well-designed plays. But the kids bounced back. It's hard when you know you've got a chance to go 9-0, it's raining, and the other team's throwing things at you. But we're going to have to rebound and play a lot better next week, because we'll be playing a playoff team."
Haayer finished with 164 rushing yards, and Mooney added 151. Anthony Binetti completed 14 of 22 for 200 yards and 2 TDs.
Overall, the Raiders rolled up 567 yards and 24 first downs.
Greg Williams had 38 yards on 12 carries for D-C (2-7, 1-4).