Big plays both ways lift Hersey

Hersey's defense was strong all game, and its offense was able to come up with a big play when it needed it most in Friday's 20-7 win over visiting Hoffman Estates.

The big play was running back Zach Johnson's 39-yard touchdown scamper with 1:13 left in the game to provide the Huskies with the winning margin.

"I ran to the center, and then bounced it out," Johnson said. "I just saw the open field and just ran."

Johnson said the run felt "awesome."

"I just wanted to help the team out," he said. "And that's what I did."

As for the defense, Hersey (2-0) forced 4 Hoffman turnovers, 3 of which were fumbles recovered by defensive back Jake Mueller. The other was a Kevin Kozil interception with Hoffman in desperation mode after Johnson's touchdown run.

"The defense was all over the field and it was just awesome," Mueller said. "We had high intensity and it was great. It kept us in the game."

Hersey was able to hold Hoffman to 192 yards of total offense, and 45 of those came on quarterback David Gutierrez's touchdown run.

"Our defense played extremely well," Hersey coach Dragan Teonic said. "That's a no-brainer. We protected the football well, and that's tremendous. Our guys shut down the run for the most part.

"It's hard to keep Gutierrez and (Mike) Reeves down. They're good. I'm really excited and happy with the way our defense played."

Running back Chris Polinski had 18 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown for Hersey while quarterback Brad Zaucha completed 10-of-14 passes for 81 yards.

Hoffman (0-2) just made too many mistakes to win the game. In addition to the four turnovers, the Hawks had a bad snap on a punt near their own goal line. Punter Niko Crambes was able to recover the ball and scramble around, but when he was tackled Hersey was able to take over on Hoffman's 8.

Two plays later, receiver Joe McGrane scored on a 4-yard touchdown run.

"Like I told our kids, we should have won the football game. You can't beat yourself," Hoffman coach Bill Helzer said. "It hurts because that is 18 (losses) in a row. You can't hide it. You can't run from it. But we should have won."

Hersey is 2-0 for the first time since 2002.

"It's awesome," Mueller said of the 2-0 start. "Everyone is crazy about it."

Gutierrez rushed 16 times for 72 yards for Hoffman, and running back Mike DeNight ran 8 times for 59 yards. Senior defensive lineman Paul Albani also added 2 sacks for the Hawks.