Hampshire rallies to down Dundee-Crown
Hampshire quarterback Jake Vincent and receiver Jared Hornbeck entered the 2016 season as one of the best passing duos in the Fox Valley Conference.
Vincent and Hornbeck, both seniors, certainly strengthened that theory Friday night in the FVC and season opener at Dundee-Crown for the Whip-Purs.
Vincent connected with Hornbeck 12 times for 212 yards and 3 scores as the Whip-Purs rallied late for a 35-28 win over the stunned Chargers in Carpentersville.
"Myself and Jared are like brothers," said Vincent. "We are always working on patterns and timing. We have a ridiculous connection. If I throw the ball in his direction he will make the catch."
Hornbeck trusts Vincent will make the right throw.
"We have played together since pee-wees," said Hornbeck. "I have faith he will make the right throw. I just need to make the catch."
With 2:37 remaining in the contest, the Whip-Purs trailed the Chargers 28-27. With the ball on its own 19, Hampshire marched 81 yards in 1:19 for what turned out to be the winning score, a 4-yard run by Daniel Tuzak with 1:18 left. Vincent connected with Erik Starrenburg for the 2-point conversion to give Hampshire a 7-point advantage. The key play was a 44-yard completion from Vincent to Hornbeck which placed the ball at the D-C 10-yard line.
D-C marched to midfield, but an interception by the Whip-Purs Jacob Detiveaux thwarted any chance the Chargers had to score.
Vincent ended the game completing 30-of-41 passes for 394 yards and 3 scores.
Along with Hornbeck's 12 catches, Cameron Fleury snared 9 passes for 91 yards and Connor Burke caught 5 passes for 59 yards.
"Jake and Jared have a great connection," said Hampshire coach Mike Brasile. "I knew Jake had enough time on the last drive to get a score. He does a great job of finding the open receivers. Great win to open the season on the road."
The loss for D-C dampened a record-setting performance by senior back Greg Williams who carried the ball 52 times for 385 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Williams also caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Conor Ryan.
"What a great night for Greg," said D-C coach Mike Steinhaus. "He did a great job of finding the holes and following the blockers. The game plan was time possession and keeping the ball away from their offense. Tough loss. But I am very proud of the kids. We had 30 kids executing and playing hard. Their quarterback and receiver made the key plays when they had to."