Sports
Red Raiders fall in season opener
Huntley can't slow Crystal Lake Central's run game in 28-6 loss
One of the biggest things that had to do in their 2011 season opener Friday night against Crystal Lake Central was slow down Tigers running back Gage Harrah.
The Red Raiders did a fair job on Harrah, not allowing the senior to get over 100 yards rushing, but Harrah scored three times as Huntley fell 28-6 to start the 2011 campaign. Huntley (0-1) struggled on offense from the outset with just 15 yards of total offense in the first quarter and fell behind after a fumble deep in their own territory brought on a 10-yard touchdown run from Harrah on the next play to give Central a 7-0 lead after one quarter. The Red Raiders would respond four minutes into the second quarter when after a long quarterback sneak by Jake Brock got Huntley inside the 10-yard line, John Walker swept to the left side and got into the end zone to pull Huntley within 7-6.
However, two minutes later, Harrah would score again and Central led 14-6 going into halftime. The second half wasn’t any better for Huntley as Central’s Connor Hines scored in the third quarter and Harrah scored again in the fourth to give Central their winning margin. Huntley coach Matt Gehrig said that the early fumble gave Central the chance to score early on the road.
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“That was a tough play, it was a swing for them in field position and set them right up to score,” Gehrig said.
Gehrig added that there is some work to be done before the Red Raiders take the field again next week at Kaneland.
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“We got to work on some things we run on offense that we need to clean up and do a little better next week,” Gehrig said.
Huntley did have some bright spots in running back Ethan Connor, who had 54 yards rushing on 11 carries along with Brock, who while being just 4-for-12 passing for 30 yards, was able to stay alive in the pocket several times in his first varsity start and ran for 53 yards. Brock said it was nice to get the jitters out of starting his first varsity game.
“Obviously I was pretty nervous and it was nice to get the first game jitters out,” Brock said. “I should be able to come out good next game without the nerves. It felt good to get back on the field.”
