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Hoffman's happy to be eligible

In coverage of this year's Hoffman Estates football team, starting quarterback has been listed as Austin Miller-Coalson.

The 5-foot-10 junior would like to clarify, for future accounts, that his name is actually considerably simpler.

"It's just Austin Coalson, no Miller," he said with a laugh after the Hawks' 21-7 win over crosstown rival Conant in the annual Mayor's Cup contest at Feutz Field on the east side of Hoffman Estates on Friday night.

Coalson was in a good mood after his performance - 16-for-26 passing for 206 yards and a touchdown - also clarified a few other things of Hoffman Estates' football team.

• The win secured the Hawks' first winning regular season since a 5-4 record under Jim Rucks in 2000.

• It also made the Hawks playoff-eligible, as Hoffman Estates is guaranteed a minimum of 36 playoff points.

"It's a result of teamwork," Coalson said. "It's the wide receivers catching my passes, It's our offensive line giving us time to make those big plays, It's the defense coming up big in the second half. Most importantly, its Tucc (head coach Mike Donatucci) and the rest of our coaching staff reminding us to stay humble and to help one another out."

The Hawks' coach credits offensive coordinator Tim Heyse for Coalson's rapid development.

"Look what he's done over the last three years. From Jeff (Mayes) to Keegan (Pierce) last year to Austin this season," Donatucci said. "He does a great job in getting our offense ready each week."

On the opening drive, that teamwork got Hoffman on the board with an an 11-play, 82-yard drive. Coalson had 3 completions in in, while Jaylin Johnson caught 3 passes and two-way standout Jaylan Alexander adding 37 yards rushing and receiving, highlighted by his 1-yard TD run that ended the drive.

Host Conant (0-6, 0-2) responded on its opening possession with a 16-play, 67-yard drive that knotted things up at 7 with 2:05 to play in the opening quarter on a 4-yard run by junior QB Matt Majer (3-for-9, 32 yards passing, 16 rushes, 30 yards) who got the starting nod over senior Brian Modelski.

Hoffman Estates regained control with a 92-yard drive during which Coalson completed three more passes, including a pair by Alexander. Johnson capped it with a 4-yard touchdown run with 8:27 to go in the opening half to give Hoffman Estates the lead for good.

After forcing the Cougars into a three and out, Hoffman Estates (5-1, 1-1) sealed the deal by going the aerial route. Coalson went go 4-for-4 for 65 yards with a 34-yard strike to Alexander finishing the scoring with just under five minutes left in the half.

From that point, Alexander and the Hawk' defense stole the show. The 6-2, 225-pound second-year varsity player snuffed out a pair of Cougars drives with critical sacks of Majer after the hosts had crossed into Hoffman territory on each one of their three fourth-quarter possessions.

Junior Clevontae Jackson's pick of Modelski (3-for-6, 34 yards) ended Conant's final threat with 1:19 left.

Alexander, who played on all 114 plays combined by both teams, credits his daily conditioning routine that gave him the stamina to keep playing throughout the contest.

"I work hard, we all do," the junior said. "I know that I'm needed out there, be it offense or defense. I also know that having played on varsity last year that us returnees from last year's team have to mentor the new guys so that our program stays on track."

Donatucci cites Alexander's work ethic as having a cumulative effect on his team.

"Having only nine seniors from last season plus five sophomores who started last year, their work ethic has been the driving force for our squad," Donatucci said. "After falling short in Week 9 each of the past two seasons to make the playoffs, we're now playoff-eligible. With three games to go (at home versus Barrington and Schaumburg and a road trip to Fremd) we control our own destiny and that's where we want to be."

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