Hersey holds on to topple Highland Park
If spectators didn't know this was the first football game of the season, they probably wouldn't believe it due to the feng shui flow of Hersey's offensive performance Friday.
The host Huskies handed Central Suburban North defending champions Highland Park a season-opening loss, 41-34.
Hersey quarterback Tommy Jackson distributed the ball to eight Huskie receivers in the win, finishing 17-of-26 for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Jackson saw something in the defense to get the receiving corps involved. He has game film and a Highland Park preseason scrimmage to thank for his efforts.
"We're always ready to do anything (on offense)," Jackson said. "We always have to be ready to attack. In scrimmage, they showed a cover two. But (Friday night) they played a cover three and it worked out for us."
It wasn't easy for the Huskies, though. Highland Park junior running back Dondi Penick a challenge as he broke tackles, juked defenders and sped away with 368 yards on the ground and 3 TDs. Penick took three carries over 50 yards (78, 58 and 52). He topped 200 yards in the first half.
Hersey had a 19-14 lead after an extremely entertaining and star-studded first half.
The momentum of the game switched in Highland Park's direction midway through the third quarter as Penick took a 52-yard run that got the Giants in the red zone. A play later, Highland Park senior QB Toby Tigges skipped in for a 4-yard TD to regain the lead, 20-19.
The momentum switch lasted just 12 seconds as Jackson linked up with receiver Kami Jackowski (140 yards, 2 TDs) on an 80-yard pass.
Hersey also had a lot of success on fourth down, going 3-of-4 on fourth-and-long conversions. Two of the conversions ended in touchdowns (both were fourth-and-15).
"Tom (Jackson) has been great all summer," said Hersey coach Joe Pardun. "He has the poise and the confidence to do everything."
Although the Huskies built a 2-TD lead in the dwindling minutes of the fourth quarter, Penick wasn't finished. In a possession with three minutes remaining, Penick had runs of 28, 25 and 17 yards. The drive started from their own 20, and ended in a 7-yard score from Penick.
Hersey had difficulty running out the clock and needed two fourth-down conversions and a 35-yard rushing TD from Owen Goldsberry put this win in the books.
"We're just trying to execute," Goldsberry said. "This win is a big momentum builder."
The game ended in a Hail Mary from HP's Tigges to senior Jet Mendes for 38 yards to score one last time.