Blissett, Hoffman Estates catch win No. 2 at Buffalo Grove
A big night from Hoffman Estates wide receiver Jayvon Blissett led the Hawks to what the junior called "a great team win."
Blissett caught 3 touchdown passes Friday to pace Hoffman to a 28-14 Mid-Suburban crossover victory over Buffalo Grove at Grant Blaney Stadium.
Blissett's third TD, a 67-yard bomb in the third quarter from quarterback Austin Miller-Coalson, broke the hearts of the host Bison and put the game out of reach for the home team.
Hoffman improved to 2-0 on the season.
"We were energetic and enthused," said Blissett. "The enthusiasm that we showed got us all hyped up."
Clevontae Jackson paced a strong Hawks defensive effort with 2 interceptions from his defensive back position.
"It was all about execution tonight," said Jackson. "We did what we had to do out there.
"Even when we had a little letdown we got the momentum right back. It was go forward, step by step."
Blissett opened the scoring in the first quarter by catching a pretty 5-yard touchdown pass from Miller-Coalson in the back of the end zone.
Then the junior grabbed another TD, a 10-yard toss in the second quarter, and the Hawks led 14-0 at halftime.
"It all came down to us not being able to execute when we wanted to," said BG coach Jeff Vlk, "especially in the first half."
The Bison fought back in the third, driving from their own 16 to the Hoffman Estates 32-yard line with 2:30 remaining in the quarter.
But BG lost the ball on a fumble, and on the next play from scrimmage Miller-Coalson lofted a long strike down the middle of the field. Blissett outfought the BG defender for the ball and raced in to the end zone.
"I knew we were going to call that play," said Blissett. "Their guy (the BG cornerback) was all over me, but my quarterback threw a great ball. After that it was nothing but green."
BG (0-2) scored in the fourth quarter on a 92-yard Connor Adams-to-Thomas Kelly touchdown pass, but Hoffman answered with an 11-play drive and a Jaylin Johnson 1-yard TD run.
A 15-yard scoring pass from Adams to BG receiver Jimmy Trieb late in the fourth accounted for the final score.
Miller-Coalson finished with 313 yards through the air, while Jaylan Alexander caught 9 passes for 100 yards and Daniel Banahan grabbed 6 balls and finished with 128 yards receiving.
Adams was 15-of-26 for 275 yards for BG, but the Bison turned the ball over 4 times.
"You can't make mistakes against a well coached-team like Hoffman Estates," added Vlk. "Mike (Hoffman coach Donatucci) is a hall of fame coach, so you know every time you do make mistake they're going to take advantage."