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Hersey celebrates a week of high achievement

As he talked to the media after Friday night's game, Hersey coach Joe Pardun got a handshake from John Novak.

The school's assistant principal for student activities didn't only congratulate Pardun for a big 28-19 Mid-Suburban East win over visiting Elk Grove, but for a big week, period.

On Tuesday, Pardun and his wife Katie welcomed their first child by birth, daughter Vivian, at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

It meant he missed his first days of practice since becoming Hersey's coach in 2014.

"It was weird not being here for a few days," said Pardun, whose family also includes an adopted 5-year-old daughter. "But our coaches really got at it and the players, too.

"Our coaches' preparation (led by assistant Nick Goshe, formerly the head coach at Grayslake Central) really stuck together and they've got to get the credit."

Credit the Huskies' offensive line with stepping up in the third quarter and allowing junior quarterback Owen Goldsberry to fire touchdown passes of 47 and 49 yards in the third quarter to help the hosts (2-3, 1-0) open up a 28-7 lead.

"It was a little different this week, but we just wanted to stay focused for him (Pardun) and we prepared to the best of our ability," Goldsberry said.

Throwing behind linemen Luke Schmiederer, Brendan Watson, Bobby Szymanski, Will Ebert, Daniel Roszkowski and Gibby Eshoo, Goldsberry showed his throwing ability with a 47-yard TD pass to classmate Jake Mailloux and a 49-yard TD strike to senior Matt Abfall in a span of less than two minutes in the third quarter for a 21-7 lead.

With 1:26 left in the period, sophomore Nick Wiley took off up the middle for a 67-yard TD run for the 28-7 lead.

"We continued to battle after that but you've got to give Hersey credit," said Elk Grove coach John Sigmund. "They made the big plays when they needed them. I have a lot of respect for Joe Pardun and his program. They outperformed us in big plays and that was the outcome of the game."

Elk Grove (0-5, 0-1) showed its character in the final quarter, scoring twice with a 14-yard TD run by junior Genio Hyppolite and Tyler Selvig's 31-yard TD pass to Marquis Friend (8 catches for 137 yards).

"I thought Tyler Selvig really took command of the huddle," Sigmund said. "He understood what we wanted and he is kind of getting back into rhythm after an injury."

Selvig also tossed a 57-yard TD pass to Friend, which tied the game at 7-7 at halftime.

Hersey's only first-half TD came on its first possession when senior Zach Blevins capped a 50-yard drive with a 1-yard TD run.

The drive included a 32-yard pass from Goldsberry to Blevins which gave Hersey the first down at the 1-yard line.

"Everyone stepped up and stayed focused on every single play," said Goldsberry, who was 11-of-17 for 235 yards. "We just take it one game at a time. We try to go 1-0 every week."

And this was special week for Pardun.

"I have to give my coaches the credit." he said "We've had a lot of adversity in term of injuries. But these kids keep fighting. And it's amazing to watch. I'm really proud of them.

"And give a lot of credit to Elk Grove. They just kept fighting and battling throughout the game."

Pardun said the Huskies' offensive line continues to grow.

"We've been a second-half team," he said "I was glad to see the line step up and give Owen the time he needed and he (Goldsberry) capitalized so that was big."

Capping one very big week for Pardun.

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