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Second-half surge powers Hersey to first victory

Hersey has been searching for a way to dent the victory column in this young season, as the Huskies started the year with three straight losses.

But Hersey and quarterback Owen Goldsberry found their touch on Friday at Niles North.

Goldsberry connected on three scoring tosses in leading the Huskies to a 24-20 victory over Niles North in Skokie.

Hersey (1-3) was a bit out of synch in the first half, driving inside the 20-yard line twice but only coming away with 3 points.

The Huskies also had a big gain on a reception by Matt Abfall erased due to a holding penalty and trailed Niles North 14-10 at halftime.

But Goldsberry and the Huskies definitely found their rhythm in the pivotal third quarter, as the senior Huskies connected on two scoring tosses to gain control.

"We came up short a few times in the first half," said Goldsberry who went 11-for-17 passing for 146 yards. "But everyone put it together in the second half, and the offensive line did a great job giving me time … everyone executed."

Niles North junior Bruno Prosper-Kanam rushed for 158 of his 195 yards in the first half and scored on a 5-yard run and a 93-yard run in helping the Vikings' first-half surge.

Goldsberry found Abfall for a 64 yard touchdown and Abfall also added a 29-yard field goal to keep things close heading into the third quarter.

Hersey then scored on its first two possessions of the second half to take command.

Goldsberry found Thomas Barnes on a 16-yard scoring pass on third down in giving the Huskies a 17-14 advantage early in the third quarter. Goldsberry then connected with Thomas Platt on a 27-yard scoring toss in pushing the lead to 24-14.

"A lot of ups and downs in this game," said Hersey coach Joe Pardun. "I am very proud of how the kids responded. We didn't panic and the kids fought."

Hersey's defense also rose to the occasion in the second half, especially senior nose tackle Nick Tinaglia, who came back from a torn ACL in the spring to help power the Huskies' defense.

Prosper-Kanam added a 38 yard scoring run at the end of the third quarter for Niles North (0-4), but the defense rose to the challenge in turning back a late fourth-quarter drive

"He played huge in the second half," said Pardun of Tinaglia, who had a key stop in the fourth quarter after the Vikings had reached the Huskies' 20-yard line.

Abfall had two receptions for 104 yards, Zach Blevins also contributed with 5 catches for 53 yards, and Vince Carso also had some big moments in the third quarter.

"We came out and fought and we finished this week," added Goldsberry of the Huskies' effort. "Now it's just taking it one game at a time."

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