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Hersey hits high point against Rolling Meadows

With its season on the line, Hersey responded with its best game of the year.

The Huskies were dominant in every phase of their game Friday in Arlington Heights, drubbing Rolling Meadows 48-6.

Hersey (6-3, 4-1) claimed a share of the MSL East title alongside Rolling Meadows (7-2, 4-1). Just as important, the Huskies earned a berth in the state playoffs for the second consecutive year.

"We feel like we have been clicking as a team," Hersey coach Joe Pardun said. "And when we are clicking, we are dangerous."

Hersey put on an offensive show, amassing nearly 500 yards of offense while holding Rolling Meadows to 151. Hersey scored on 7 of its 8 possessions with 14 different players touching the ball.

"It is everybody just stepping up," Pardun said. "We have depth. Everyone is pushing each other to get better.

"We feel confident in all of them, so it is just a matter of getting the right players in the right spot at the right time."

The Huskies used their ground game to get Rolling Meadows on its heels. And then Hersey went to the air to seal the deal with quarterback Eric Portenlanger (10-of-18, 160 yards) throwing 4 touchdown passes and running for another.

Hersey's offensive line of Mitch Carlisle, Austin Kane, Danny Somary, Sean Johlie and Colin Burke took command as the Huskies rushed for 300 yards, their best performance of the season.

"It is all about guys stepping up," Kane said. "We have had a couple of injuries on the line. But we had guys step in and do the job."

With the line blocking well, the Huskies went to running back by committee as 10 different players ran the ball, with 4 of them gaining at least 50 yards.

"We can't give enough credit to our line," said Bryan Castaneda, who picked up 61 yard on 12 carries. "We have a strong group of four backs. We practice hard together. We all have motors and we are extremely confident."

Hersey showed on its first possession that the offense, which had struggled through most of the season, would be a force to be reckoned with on Friday.

Starting on its own 5, Hersey went 95 yards in 16 plays. Portenlanger threw a 4-yard pass to Cole Monkton to make it 7-0.

Portenlanger tallied on a 3-yard run on the Huskies' next possession to make it 13-0. Hersey, which held Rolling Meadows to just 2 first downs in the first half, opened up a 21-0 lead with just 12.5 seconds before the half ended. Portenlanger threw a 3-yard corner route pass to Monckton for a touchdown and then followed with a conversion pass to Kamil Jackowski.

While the short passes by Portenlanger were very effective to put points on the board for the Huskies, it was his two wheel-route passes that help put the game away.

The first went to Will Trossen for 63 yards to make it 28-0. After Rolling Meadows got on the board with a 35-yard run by Luka Pavlakis, Portenlanger threw another perfect wheel pass to Nate Stefaniak for a 22 yards with 1:14 left in the third quarter to make it 34-6.

Portenlanger then gave way to Tommy Jackson, who also had great success. Jackson threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Fotos and then closed out the scoring with a 2-yard run with just over a minute to play.

While the offensive was impressive, the Hersey defense was its usual staunch self. Led by Monckton, Joe Caputo, Trossen, William Goldsberry, Tim Kitrys and Vlad Pavlenko, the Huskies allowed just 7 first downs and 23 yards passing.

"We take pride in our defense," Monckton said. "It has been our strength all year. But the offense is catching up."

The only positive Rolling Meadows might get out of their loss is the opportunity to move down in class in the playoffs. The Mustangs were right in the edge of playing in 6A or 7A, but since Hersey will be in 7A, that could force Rolling Meadows lower.

Mustangs coach Matt Mishler wasn't concerned about what division his team will play in, but rather that they are able to turn things around quickly.

"My message was that last time we lost, we ripped off 6 wins in a row," Mishler said. "I don't doubt these guys' heart, and I don't doubt their resiliency. But they are going to have to show it."

Images: Rolling Meadows at Hersey football

  Hersey's Cole Monckton, right, gets past Rolling Meadows' Jack Swindells on Friday in Arlington Heights. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
  Rolling Meadows quarterback Luka Pavlakis carries the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter at Hersey. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
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