Kaneland 49, Yorkville 6
There would be no baker's dozen for the Kaneland this fall.
The Knights' 12-year run of playoff appearances ended with a loss to Geneva last week, but Jody Henningson and Co. made sure the Kaneland seniors went out on top.
Henningson directed seven consecutive Knights' scoring drives, rushing for three scores and passing for another trio, as Kaneland defeated Yorkville 49-6 Friday night.
With the one-sided Western Sun Conference victory in Yorkville, Kaneland concluded its campaign at 4-5 overall, 3-4 in the league.
It was the Foxes' seventh consecutive loss after beginning the season with back-to-back shutout wins.
"Not being able to go (to the playoffs) is a crush for all of us," said Henningson, who lit up the Yorkville defense for 466 combined throwing and rushing yards. "We just came out and fought hard."
After throwing an interception on his opening attempt of the night -- which Yorkville capitalized on for its
lone score -- Henningson took command on the first play of the second quarter.
The Knights' leader scored from 6 yards out, and his first of seven straight PATs gave Kaneland the lead for good.
Henningson later added his second keeper from a yard out, and the Knights had a goal-line stand seconds before halftime to take a 21-6 lead into the break.
The second half was all Henningson.
Ryley Bailey hauled in the first of two lengthy scoring receptions to start the third, and Brian Claesson augmented a 6-reception, 135-yard night on offense with an interception on the Foxes' opening second-half drive.
Jamie Snyder scored his second TD when Henningson found him from 8-yards out, and the Henningson barrage hit full steam on the ensuing possession.
Back up on his own 10-yard line, Henningson romped 90 yards out of shotgun formation for the third Knights' touchdown in the less than eight minutes of third-quarter play.
"That's (the running distance) a first, I can say that," said Henningson, who completed 19 passes for 340 yards while toting the ball eight times for another 126.
"(Henningson) has been doing that to a lot of people, not just us," said Yorkville coach Jim Still. "That young man is a tremendous football player."
"A kid like that is a reason why to coach," added Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly.