Hoffman Estates boots streak

Pomp and circumstance ensued on Friday night as a large and boisterous crowd gathered for Conant's homecoming festivities and a matchup with Hoffman Estates.

But as the fog from the concession stand grill settled and the band played no more, it was Hoffman Estates (1-7, 1-3) which made all the noise, pulling off a last-second 17-14 Mid-Suburban West upset to dramatically end a 23-game losing streak.

Coming into the game against Conant at 0-7 and with the playoffs out of the picture, it would've been easy for the Hawks to take this game in stride. But coach Bill Helzer's squad came out with the heart of an unbeaten team and played with poise when it counted most.

"I'm just impressed with these kids," Helzer said. "We got big plays when we needed them."

After two drives that were cut short by turnovers from the Cougars (2-6, 0-4) late in the fourth quarter, Hoffman got the ball back on its own 30-yard line with 1:45 remaining. After a solid running attack the Hawks got within field goal distance and then came the end-of-game heroics as senior kicker Niko Crambes coolly stepped up to kick a field goal as time expired.

"Everyone was getting really excited on the sideline," Crambes said. "I felt calm. I knew I was going to go out there and make it."

As Crambes' 38-yard kick soared through the uprights, the Hawks snapped their long losing streak and regained possession of the Mayors' Cup for the first time since 2000.

"It feels great to be one the team that broke the streak," Crambes said.

Getting Crambes into position for his field goal was senior running back Mike Reeves, who led the running attack with 108 yards on 16 carries.

"I feel great," Reeves said, smiling.

Things weren't the same on the other side of the field, however.

"We don't feel very good right now," said Conant head coach Bill Modelski. "When you turn it over more than your opponents like we just did, you're asking for this to happen."