Gorken helps Crystal Lake South rally past Hampshire
He can run, throw and catch passes.
Crystal Lake South's multitalented senior Ian Gorken can do a little a bit of everything.
Utilized in the Gators offensive attack as a quarterback, running back and wide receiver, it was Gorken's 2 rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter which propelled South to a 21-13 win over upset-minded Hampshire in a Fox Valley Conference game in Crystal Lake Friday night.
The Gators (2-2, 2-2), who trailed Hampshire 13-7 midway through the fourth, got a 1-yard run from Gorken with 6:35 left in the contest to give the home team a narrow 1-point lead, 14-13.
Set up by an interception by Brock Jewson, South sealed the deal on a 28-yard run by Gorken with 4:30 remaining.
The versatile Gator toted the pigskin 17 times for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. Gorken also caught 3 passes for 36 yards and completed 1-of-1 passing for 5 yards.
"Ian is a 3-year starter and wherever I put him on offense he produces," said South coach Rob Fontana. "We needed Ian in the running game late and he really came through. I am very fortunate to coach a player of his caliber for 3 years."
Gorken doesn't care where he plays on offense.
"Put me anywhere," said Gorken. "It really doesn't matter. I just want to help the team win. The O-line (offensive line) really blocked well down the stretch and gave me huge holes to go through. We didn't want to lose this game and go 1-3."
Hampshire coach Jake Brosman is happy he doesn't have to game plan for Gorken any more.
"He (Gorken) is an awesome athlete and he can beat you in so many ways," said the Hampshire coach. "You don't where is going to line up play to play. He is a complete fundamental player."
The Gators who had 3 touchdowns called back because of penalties, rushed for 256 yards including a 136-yard effort from Des McCarthy who scored the Gators' first touchdown of the game on a 5-yard run with 2:49 left in the second quarter.
"We shot ourselves in the foot and made a lot of mental mistakes but it comes down to how a team responds during a 48-minute game," said Fontana. "We made plays when we had to and came up with the win. It wasn't pretty but we will take it."
Hampshire (0-4, 0-4), which trailed 7-3 at halftime, scored with only 53 seconds elapsed in the second half on a 50-yard pass from Jackson Millison to Shandon Suma to give the Whip-Purs a 10-7 lead.
Hampshire entered the red zone 2 more times in the third quarter but could only come away with a 22-yard field goal by Aiden Fleury.
On their next possession the Whip-Purs advanced to the 5, but Millison's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Joseph Mikulec.
"We have to learn to finish and complete drives," said Brosman. "It was a good effort by our guys. We are much more competitive this year than last."