Kaneland too much for Burlington again
Both the Burlington Central and Kaneland football teams come into this season trying to replace extremely valuable parts to their potent offenses.
Despite losing Justin Lee and Boone Thorgesen respectively, neither team had trouble finding the end zone in Saturday's season opener.
The Knights scored on three consecutive first half possessions and did it again in the second half to beat the Rockets, 42-29, in Maple Park.
The loss to the Knights was the third straight in season openers for BC, which has allowed Kaneland 139 points in those three games.
Senior quarterback Jody Henningson now controls the Knights' spread offense that Thorgesen ran so well, including throwing for 43 touchdowns and more than 3,500 yards last season. Henningson completed 14-of-19 passes for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns in the victory. He also rushed for 56 yards. Both touchdown passes were to Korey Maple, who had 6 catches for 99 yards.
"(Maple) is not usually known for his speed," Henningson said. "But today he proved something to all of us the way he can run with the ball after he catches it."
Jamie Snyder added touchdowns runs of 3, 1 and 1 yards for the Knights, a Class 5A semifinalist a year ago. The senior finished with 42 yards on 9 carries and caught a pass for 12 yards.
"Sometimes the run is going to be there just as much as the passing," Snyder said. "We took advantage of that."
Dan Hagberg is trying to replace Lee under center for the Rockets, a Class 4A quarterfinalist last year. The senior completed his only pass of the night for 26 yards. He also rushed for 59 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown with 9:24 remaining in the third quarter to tie the game at 21-21.
But a bad snap on a punt that went out of bounds in the end zone for a safety gave Kaneland a 23-21 lead midway through the third.
The Knights added to the lead on Henningson's second touchdown pass to Maple from 12 yards out with 1:59 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point was missed to keep the score at 29-21.
Burlington Central tied the game with 7:09 left on a 3-yard touchdown run by Greg Dickson and a 2-point conversion run from Jason Wagner.
Kaneland responded with a scoring drive off its own, capped by Snyder's third touchdown run to give the Knights a 36-29 lead with 3:56 remaining.
Central fumbled on its second play on the next possession. It was the Rockets' third lost fumble of the game, all lead to touchdowns.
"The three turnovers hurt," Rockets' coach Aaron Wichman said. "They're known for their offensive attack and if you give them extra opportunities they are going to capitalize."
The Knights' T.J. Weiss added a 1-yard touchdown run with 3.8 seconds remaining as the Knights gave Tom Fedderly his first victory as Kaneland's head coach.