High-powered Highland Park handles Hersey
The Hersey football team struggled to finish drives and had no answer for the Highland Park offense Friday in a 40-18 loss.
Hersey entered the game having won its previous six season season openers, but Highland Park's D.J. Penick gave the Giants the boost they needed with two early touchdowns.
"It is Week 1 and you don't know what you have until you are dipped in hot water - and we were dipped in hot water tonight," Hersey coach Joe Pardun said. "I don't think we responded poorly and I don't think we stopped playing. We didn't make plays when we needed to make plays tonight."
Zach Blevins got the Huskies on the board with a 7-yard run in the second quarter. The play was set up by a 43-yard run by Owen Goldsberry, who finished with 110 yards rushing and 102 yards passing. He did, however, throw interceptions to Giancarlo Volpentesta and Noah Spitz.
Hersey had a chance to gain some momentum going into the half with a red-zone drive, but Volpentesta negated the scoring chance with a sack on third-and-5. Hersey failed to convert on fourth-and-long and went into the locker room trailing 28-6.
"We felt like we were going to score there and get right back into the game after being down 21-0," Pardun said. "I think we would of. But we didn't and so we found ourselves in that hole at half time."
Volpentesta, who also had an interception, said the success on the field could be attributed practice.
"We have been practicing a lot on our assignments," Volpentesta said. "We have really been getting into detail with everything. This year, we really got down to it and did our job."
Penick set the tone early for the Giants, hurdling a defender and darting down the field for a 53-yard touchdown on Highland Park's third play of the game.
"Amazing, he's a fast kid," Volpentesta said. "Anytime he breaks free outside he is gone."
Penick finished the game with 160 yards rushing with 4 touchdowns. Spitz added 2 touchdown receptions on 77 yards receiving.
Despite the loss, Pardun said he was happy to see some of his younger players make the most of an opportunity late in the game.
"I think we found some playmakers tonight," Pardun said. "We had a lot of young guys that stepped in in the second half. The silver lining is we got some guys some experience and we saw some good things."
In the second half Nick Wiley threw a touchdown pass to Vince Carso and added 78 yards rushing including a touchdown on the ground. Carso rushed for 33 yards on three carries.
The Huskies will host Fremd next week, while Highland Park goes on the road to take on Lakes.
"I think our guys came in inspired," Highland Park head coach Joe Horeni said. "We have been thinking about last season for a long time. Obviously not just the Hersey game, all of our games. It did not end the way we wanted it to end. Our kids were hungry. … But it is just one win. You have to go for the next one."