Huskies Win Thriller against Belvidere North

By Chris Anderson

Reporter

MACHESNEY PARK – If there was a Harlem football game you were going to miss this year, the game between the Huskies and the visiting Blue Thunder on Sept. 25 wasn’t it. This match-up had the 3-1 Belvidere North Blue Thunder, ranked number 8 in 6A, taking on the 4-0 Harlem Huskies, ranked No. 10 in Class 7A, and it didn’t disappoint.

This one started fast as Harlem fans hadn’t even gotten through half their pork chops sandwiches before Belvidere North fullback Cruz Garza scored on a 60-yard run during the visitors first possession.

The Huskies quickly struck back as junior quarterback Trent Willey hit wide receiver Ethan Martin on a 37 touchdown reception and the race was on. Both teams traded touchdowns again in the first quarter, Belvidere North on a two-yard run by Garza and the Huskies with Brenton Shaw scoring on a 80-yard dash.

The second quarter was all Blue Thunder as junior quarterback Bennet O’Connell carried the ball 45 yards for a touchdown, which was followed by an impressive 45-yard field goal by placekicker Luis Garcia and at the break the Blue Thunder were on top, 24-14.

The third quarter started with Harlem taking the ball and holding it for an impressive 21-play drive, capped by a Trent Willey three-yard run. The Huskies got the ball right back after a Belvidere North fumble on the ensuing kick-off and took a 28-24 lead after an 11-play drive and another touchdown by Willey, this one on an 8-yard run.

After dominating the second half in ball possession, The Blue Thunder got their chance as they drove down the field before their drive stalled on third down on the Harlem 10-yard line.

The Blue Thunder went to their go-to man, Jarden Cantu, who took the ball and sprinted around the left side of the Huskies defensive line where he stopped and popped a 10-yard touchdown pass to Logan Dunham and late in the fourth quarter the Blue Thunder had a 31 to 28 lead and stunned Harlem fans were wondering if their perfect record was in jeopardy.

It was crunch time for the Huskies, and they did was they had done best all second half-give the ball to Brenton Shaw and send him into the Belvidere North defensive line.

Shaw stood up to the task and on the 11th play of the drive, the junior running back found the hole he’s been looking for all half as he ran for a 20-yard touchdown. The extra point was not converted and Harlem had a 34-31 lead, which they held until the final buzzer, preserving their perfect record and sole possession of first place in the NIC-10 as previously unbeaten Hononegah fell to Belvidere.

Belvidere North’s Garcia had 18 rushes for 156 yards, while Harlem’s Shaw carried the ball 42 times for 258 yards. North’s O’Connell was three of eight passing for 49 yards while Harlem’s Willey was six of 14 for 70 yards.

Harlem quarterback Trent Willey (2) rolls out as he looks for a receiver during the game against Belvidere North on Sept. 25.