Conant stays focused in victory

Conant wanted to leave no doubt it was a playoff-caliber team this season.

They did just that at Hoffman Estates on Friday night.

The Cougars clinched a playoff spot with a 40-7 triumph in Mid-Suburban West play.

Conant (5-3, 2-2) was led by quarterback Danny Modelski, who threw for 196 yards and 3 touchdowns, one being a 69-yard bomb to Dante Marski on the first play of the second half to make it 38-0.

The Cougars also got the job done on the ground.

Sophomore Elias Gardner had 85 yards on 13 carries with 2 touchdowns.

“Every game is big for us; we are looking to get better every game,” Modelski said. “We like to establish the run first and the passing takes care of itself.”

Hoffman Estates (2-6, 0-4), which has now dropped six straight, is looking to end the season on the right note next week.

The Hawks were led by running back Kabrian Johnson, who rushed for 30 yards and a touchdown on 6 carries.

Hawks coach Mike Donatucci does not want his team to throw in the towel with one game to go. He still expects them to compete in practice and play the last 48 minutes of the season with an edge.

“We need more,” he said. “We need more competition within the players to make each other better going forward.”

Conant looks to stay on track next week and move to 6-3 on the year, increasing their chance of a better seed.

“Our focus every week is to think about us and do what we do best,” said Cougars coach Bill Modelski. “We want to play well going into the playoffs keep riding this wave we have going.”