Friars Fired Up in Win Over Indians

By Chris Johnson, REPORTER

 Hononegah entered the 2016 Class 7A State Football Playoffs with a 5-4 mark and with a focus on a road trip to the Chicago suburbs. The 29-seed designation barely got them in. It did put the Indians in the path of the four-seed and scoring-friendly Friars of Oak Park Fenwick. By a score of 31-10 the season ended for Hononegah. The Indians stayed within striking distance into the second quarter. Into the third however, Fenwick found answers. Hononegah’s defense began yielding yards. The Friars began stretching their lead. With only ten points collected, things weren’t lining up for a possible upset win. Hononegah couldn’t keep pace as the season came to a close, courtesy of the three-touchdown Fenwick final. The record of 5-5 highlights another trip to the post-season for Hononegah.

The Indians were only one of a small handful of squads that made it to the 2016 post-season from the highly-competitive NIC-10. They were a survivor. Rockford East, Belvidere and Belvidere North all missed with 4-5 marks. Hononegah’s 5-4 mark gave them the 29-seed position, out of the possible 32 available, but it got them in. Fenwick got the four-seed. Hononegah drew Fenwick. They were heavily favored over Hononegah. The Friars playoffs continue again this week at home. They face Lake Zurich. The Bears took down the Harlem Huskies 40-0. In the 6A playoffs, the Arlington-Heights Saint Viator Royal Lions tamed the Boylan Titans 24-13 Auburn remains the only NIC-10 member still standing after Round One of this year’s State Tournament. The Friars moved to 9-1 on the season and advanced to the Class 7A Second Round. A showdown with eight-seed Rockford Auburn could be looming for the Indian’s victor, if they continue to win.

The 9-1 Knights have their own issues this Friday night though, as they host 9-1, nine-seed, St. Charles North. If the Knights win, they could be setting themselves up for a showdown with the State-ranked Friars in the State’s Final Four. Perhaps a chance to give the NIC-10 some payback might exist. Now, with football over, the attention shifts to basketball for many Hononegah athletes. Within two weeks the season returns. Basketball focus can return. The Lady Indians will soon have additional company on the practice floors. The Herald will follow the Hononegah boys’ and girls’ basketball teams throughout the season.