In a game of field position, utilizing special teams and hard defense, the gave it their all Friday but couldn't edge out the win, as they lost to the Schaumburg Saxons, 37-21.
"I thought our kids battled, really proud of our effort," said Hersey head coach Dragan Teonic. "I thought we played with a lot of class."
The Hersey Huskies (1-2) gave up big plays to the Schaumburg Saxons (3-0) that led to great field position, touchdowns and ultimately the win.
The Huskies', however, began tough on defense, causing a fumble on the first play of the game and that turnover became six points for the Huskies, as senior Quinn Orlandi and junior Ed Miklasz (10 receptions, three TD's, 103 yards) connected for one of the their 10 connections Friday night.
The Saxons would strike back, taking a 7-6 lead, off the power running of junior Sadarriss Patterson.
"We had one crucial mistake, which was the first interception that turned into a touchdown return," Teonic said. Saxons' senior Cole Reyes returned an interception for a touchdown off a "bad read" Teonic said after the game.
At halftime, both teams were knotted up at 14; the Huskies ended the half with momentum, with Orlandi and Miklasz connecting for a second touchdown.
Unable to put anything together offensively at the beginning of the third quarter, the Huskies would punt the ball away and the Saxons got a huge 64-yard run out of junior Ricky Louriero, giving his team a chance to score.
The Huskies stood their ground and only gave up three points but changed the direction of the game.
Teonic said the run was a play he felt broke the team's back, “it was a momentum changer.”
Orlandi and Miklasz were not done, as they connected for the third time, giving the Huskies a 21-17 lead. The Saxons, however, were poised and focused in the second half taking the lead back, 23-21.
"They quickly responded, that was a killer," Teonic said.
Teonic said his team had too many non-converted good field position plays. "I think we had field position for most of the game," he said.
The (2-1) at 7 p.m.
Teonic plans to prepare the same for next week's game.
"I don’t think there’s anything different," he said. "Obviously Palatine is a good team and I think we’re getting better."
Palatine is coming off a 42-21 victory over Elk Grove High School.
"I know we have our hands full but we have to play our brand of football," Teonic said.
