Indians capture sixth to lock down playoff berth

By Chris Johnson
REPORTER
The Hononegah Indians are guaranteed a position in the upcoming Class 7A State Tournament and that is the direct result of Friday night’s win over the Auburn Knights 57-34.
Prior to the Friday night victory, the outlook was still good that the Indians would indeed get their position locked in. They secured their fifth win of the season during their week seven dismantling of the Belvidere Bucs, 41-10.
In the IHSA, every team with six wins during the regular season knows what their second season plans will be. Teams are guaranteed placement once the six win plateau is reached. However, five wins already managed that for the Indians this season.
The NIC-10 is a powerhouse and entering week eight action, four teams sported 5-2 marks, one team was listed at 4-3 and the Boylan Titans, who won the NIC-10 outright Friday night, had seven.
When all the playoff points are tabulated, adding up the wins of season opponents, the 5-4 teams who played the toughest schedule get the nod, courtesy of the game totals.
On Friday night, during week eight action, the Indians knew they had their position fairly-well locked down. By taking out Auburn, Hononegah set things into action to eliminate any concern of banking on points.
When Auburn and Hononegah took the field Friday night, it was known that the winner would get their automatic pass activated. The Indians got it done.
In first period play, Hononegah outpaced the former front-running Knights 15-8 and then played shutdown football through the first half.
They added 14 points to the total in the second and entered the break up 29-0. It was a lead that would still have to be bolstered as the Knights went back on the attack in the second.
Auburn put six points on the board in the third, but could not cut into the Hononegah advantage as the Indians ran down another 14 in the frame.
After three, the lead had grown to 43-14, which meant players who didn’t get as much playing time could get their shot to shine in the team’s final regular season home game of the year.
Auburn was stronger in the fourth as a result. They outscored the Indians 20-14, but still fell to 5-3 with the 57-34 decision. Auburn still looks to secure its position in the post-season with the earlier season fifth win collected. And they might have to bank on that as they prepare to take on the Harlem Huskies this Friday night.
The NIC-10 champion is Rockford Boylan this season. They claimed the honors following a 42-0 dismantling of the Freeport Pretzels in week eight. A win by Boylan in week nine, will give them the conference title by two games over multiple challengers.
This Friday night Hononegah looks to collect their seventh win of the season and as a result, potentially be looking at a home game in the opening round of the Class 7A State Tournament.
If Rockford Jefferson pulls off one of the biggest upsets of the season in the NIC-10, the Indians may not get that opening round match at home, as their season mark would drop to 7-3.
The numbers seem to show that this Friday night’s regular season closer should provide a good opportunity for more athletes on this year’s Indians’ roster to get important playing time. Depth entering the second season is crucial to long runs and any designs on State Titles.