Maine South routs Montini

Maine South opened the 2016 football season with a convincing 44-13 win over defending Class 6A champion Montini 44-13 on Friday in Park Ridge.

Hawks junior running back Fotis Kokosioulis rushed for 218 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Hawks quarterback Nick Leongas got off to a bad start with 45 seconds into the game. On a keeper, Leongas fumbled the ball on the 40-yard line into the hands of Brendan Rauen, who ran the ball 60 yards for a touchdown.

However, Leongas rallied the Hawks and completed 15 of 25 passes for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran for 76 yards and a touchdown.

"Their quarterback was the difference. He made a lot of plays," Montini coach Chris Andriano said. "Even after we recovered that fumble for a touchdown. He showed what he was made of."

The Broncos were without Western Michigan recruit Prince Walker. The running back was hobbled by a strained left quad. Junior quarterback Brad Norgle started his first game for the Broncos but just couldn't get the offense going against the fired-up Hawks.

"We thought we were ready and prepared for this game," Andriano said. "I think they had a better execution upfront than we did. We just could never seem to get anything going and we couldn't stop them."

The Hawks scored twice on passes from Leongas to Luke Hinkamp and Cam Stacy to give them a 13-7 lead at the first quarter. Kokosioulis scored on runs of 31 and 13 yards around a 69-yard run by the Broncos' Will Smith Jr. to give the Hawks a 27-13 lead at the half.

"We know Fotis is as good as advertised," said Hawks coach Dave Inserra. "He only played nine games last year and got 1,500 yards. We got to get him the ball. It's a nice 1-2 punch with Leongas. (Montini) have a high-powered offense with a young quarterback. You have to be ready for anything. They are well-coached, but our guys were just focused. We played fast but not out of control."

The Hawks closed out the scoring two touchdowns and a field goal in the second half. Leongas threw a 24-yarder to Matt Holbrook and ran 5 yards for a touchdown. Sean McNulty closed out the game with a 42-yard field goal.

"They were just the better team tonight," said Smith, who carried the Broncos offense with 180 yards on 14 carries. "I know my team, I know who we are, I know the players, I know the coaches and I know we can play way better than we did tonight. We're not going to let one game affect us."