Fremd's offense stays strong heading into Week 9

Fremd stayed alive in the football state playoff picture by handing visiting Conant a 42-7 loss Friday night in a Mid-Suburban West matchup in Palatine.

For the second week in a row, the Vikings (5-3, 2-2) scored more than 40 points.

Six different Vikings reached the end zone, with seniors quarterback Tom Josten (3 touchdown passes for 93 yards and 1 rushing touchdown) and running back Alec Honickel (152 rushing yards and a touchdown) leading the way.

"This game was very important," said Fremd coach Lou Sponsel. "We talked about earning this one. We run into Hoffman next week, and we know they have a good program. They'll be ready for the test, because they took Barrington to the wire."

Fremd jumped to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter after senior tailback Joe Schneider galloped for a 23-yard rushing touchdown, while the Vikings' second score was the outcome of a Josten pass to senior wideout Mitch Kazner for a 25-yard pass and run.

"It was good to get the entire roster in the game," Josten said. "It was a good team win."

"It was a complete team effort," Honickel said. "We performed at a high level that we can hopefully bring into next week."

Conant responded with a drive of its own. It covered 8 plays and 57yards (all rushing) and featured junior quarterback Matt Majer and junior running back Jack Reiger. The lone Cougar scoring drive ended with a 1-yard run by Majer.

In a strong second quarter, Fremd bumped its lead to 28-7 advantage after junior receiver Ben Konopka snagged a 13-yard toss from Josten, and three-minutes later, the Fremd field general bulldozed into the end zone from 2 yards out.

The Vikes' defensive was a nuisance for Conant throughout the first half as it held the Cougars to 61 total yards - all on the ground. Conant finished with 7 passing yards.

"Our guys were frustrated in the first quarter," Sponsel said. "We had a lot of miscues. We can't make those plays down the road in October and November."

Others who contributed to the Fremd touchdown party in the second half included senior wideout Nick Cecchin and Honickel.

Conant (0-8, 0-4) will travel to Barrington for its season finale. Reiger led the Cougars in rushing with 50 yards.

After notching a victory against Schaumburg on Friday, Hoffman Estates has clinched a playoff berth. Fremd is eager for the opportunity to meet the Hawks in Week 9.

"It's a tough year in 8A," Josten said. "If we make it to the playoffs, we will probably get a low seed. Hoffman gave Barrington a tough night (two weeks ago). We have to run in with a full head of steam next Friday."

"We have to come in locked and loaded at practice," Honickel said. "Practice is where it all starts and ends. Basically, next Friday will be the start of our playoffs."