Palatine finishes off Hersey

Palatine football team came up empty on two deep drives in the third quarter, but the Pirates more than made up for it to start the final quarter.

Palatine scored 3 touchdowns in a little over three minutes to begin the final quarter, stretching an 8-point advantage to 28 points, en route to a 35-14 Mid Suburban League crossover victory at Hersey in Arlington Heights.

"Once again it was a dog fight," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "But I thought our kids executed down the stretch."

Palatine (4-0) opened the fourth with freshman Jesse Bobbit blocking a punt and giving the Pirates the ball at Hersey 30-yard line.

Cody Bobbit found Nick McHugh (6 catches, 74 yards) for a 31-yard score two plays later and a 20-7 lead.

Cody Bobbit then delivered a jarring hit on the ensuing kickoff, separating the ball from the Hersey returner with James Smearman recovering it at the 23.

Three plays later Bobbit found Mike Luschen for a 6-yard score.

Jesse Bobbit then made his second big play of the night, intercepting Hersey's quarterback Brandon Klein. Cody Bobbit connected with Joe Pelnar (6 catches, 86 yards) for a 44-yard completion and Smearman followed with a 3-yard score for a comfortable 35-7 lead with 8:51 left.

"We're connecting on all levels right now," said Cody Bobbit who went 19-for-22 with 215 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Bobbit also scored 2 touchdowns on 1-yard runs to give Palatine a 15-7 halftime advantage.

"The defense came up big in the third quarter, and we knew the offense would get in gear," added Bobbit.

Hersey (0-4) once again kept the game close, narrowing the deficit to 8-7 with 6:38 remaining in the second quarter. The Huskies used a time-draining, 19-play drive capped by Matt Stewart's 1-yard score.

"That is exactly what the doctor ordered at that time," said Hersey coach Mark Gunther. "We just have to order it up more."

Zach Johnson (13 rushes, 75 yards) completed the Huskies scoring with a 26-yard run with 5:16 left.