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Huntley's getting payback against Crystal Lake South

The motivation was obvious.

Getting trounced by Crystal Lake South 48-7 last season, Huntley was ready to play the Gators in Friday night's Fox Valley Conference matchup in Huntley.

The Red Raiders led the Gators 28-7 with 1:41 left in the third quarter before the game was postponed because of lightning. The game will resume at 9:30 a.m. Saturday,

Huntley coach Matt Zimzolak realized his team would be ready to play.

"Kids had photocopies and posters made and we talked about last year's game against South," said the Huntley coach. "It was a tough loss and the kids were really ready to play tonight. We had a great week of practice."

The Red Raiders (3-1, 3-1) seized control of the game in the first quarter with 2 unanswered touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Bruno Bosman scored on a 17-yard run with 6:27 left in the first quarter to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.

Set up by an interception from Tristan Carone, Bosman scored Huntley's second TD of the night on a 18-yard run with 5:16 remaining in the initial quarter.

The Red Raiders' third score of the night was set up by a trick play. Former Marian Central quarterback Pasquale Ricciardi, who is playing tailback for the Red Raiders, connected with Alex Denniston for a 58-yard gain.

Ricciardi did the honors of scoring the Raiders' third touchdown on a 1-yard run with 22.9 seconds left before intermission. Huntley led 21-0 after 24 minutes.

"It was nice to throw the ball again," said Ricciardi. "I just want to help the team win."

Zimzolak is glad to have Ricciardi in a Huntley uniform.

"He is a tough kid and a versatile player," said Zimzolak. "He executed the halfback pass perfectly. It was nice to get him in the end zone."

Led by Ryder Havens, Huntley got the running game going in the second half.

Gaining 60 of his 94 yards after halftime, Havens scored from 13 yards out to give the Raiders a 28-0 advantage with 8:07 left in the third quarter.

Playing without multi-versatile senior and 3-year starter Ian Gorken who left the game with 2:23 left in the first half in what looked to be an ankle injury, the Gators got on the scoreboard right before the game was delayed on a 61-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Justin Kowalak to Brock Jewson.

"I like the fact the kids were still fighting," said Gators coach Rob Fontana. "We certainly missed Ian (Gorken) because he is a senior captain and he does everything for us on both sides of the ball. We still have 1:41 left in the third quarter and a whole fourth quarter to play. We want to end the game on a high note. Huntley is a big physical team on the defensive side of the ball and they really do a great job of pressuring the quarterback."

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