Preparation pays off for Fenton
Fenton coach Mark Kos was excited about the way his team approached Friday’s football game against visiting Ridgewood.
“They were focused in every aspect,” Kos said. “From each practice Monday through Friday, their pregame workout, everything. I was impressed by the work these guys put in.”
The dedication paid off in a big way for the Bison as they earned a well-deserved homecoming victory with a 42-7 win over the Rebels at Meneguin Field in Bensenville.
Fenton fullback Tommy Corona had a lot to celebrate in the victory. The senior, whose blocking helped open some of the running lanes that led to teammate Alex Cowan’s 135 yards rushing, turned 18 Friday.
His birthday didn’t start out the best way as he was a little under the weather during the day, but the senior said he felt “a lot better” after the win.
“We were determined tonight,” Corona said. “We came out motivated.”
The Bison opened the scoring early on a safety, tackling the Ridgewood punter in the end zone after a bad snap to take a quick 2-0 lead with only a minute gone in the game.
Then Cowan rushed for three scores, from 10, 1 and 9 yards away as Fenton opened a 21-0 lead.
A 59-yard pass from Bison quarterback Will Wassmann to senior Zach Jakalski saw Fenton (4-2, 1-0 Metro Suburban Conference) open a 28-0 advantage, but Jakalski wasn’t done.
The wide receiver showed some moves down the sideline in grabbing another long Wassmann toss, this time a 54-yard TD reception.
Kyle McPherson closed the Bison scoring with an 80-yard touchdown run, while Ridgewood tacked on a late TD run by Sam Karim.
Jimmy Kramer and Alex Williams each recorded interceptions for the Bison, and Wassmann finished with 160 yards passing for a team that now looks forward to next week’s grudge match at MSC powerhouse Glenbard South.
“Every year in the preseason everyone talks about Glenbard,” Kos said. “But if our guys put forth their best effort, I think they’re up to the task.”
Birthday boy Corona agreed.
“We,” the senior said, “can’t wait for this game.”