The primary reason kids go to school is to learn. This is no different for athletes. The Kaneland football team learnt a valuable lesson on the gridiron two weeks ago against Ridgewood - "If you got a job to do, do it, and get it over with". Then they applied it against the Herscher Tigers and earned a final grade of 42-0.
Therefore, when the opening gun sounded, the Knights went right to work, and by the time the first quarter was over - the game was over. Kaneland had jumped out to 29-0 lead and had totally dominated the visiting Tigers, compiling 176 total yards to Herscher's -17!
This was not going to be like Ridgewood, as they never let the Tigers up for air.
"We are not going to stand around," predicted head coach Joe Thorgesen before the game.
"Ridgewood opened our eyes. We have to stay focused. We have to hit. And when we have a team on the ropes we have to finish the job".
George F. Will once wrote, "Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence." That is exactly what Kaneland provided in the opening quarter, as they played the most incredible quarter any team could play.
Herscher got the ball four times. Each series was three plays and punt. Total yards for each series was -1, -16, -2, and 2. This was done with key behind the line tackles by Chad Herst (-1), Rusty Pozen (-4), Anthony Parrilli (-2), and Aaron Siebens (-1). Herst and Ryan West also combined to sack the quarterback for a 12-yard loss.
On the offensive side of the ball the Knights had drives for touchdowns of 35, 44, 37, and 46. Scoobie (Kyle Schrader) scored all 4 touchdowns. However, the last one was called back for a clipping penalty and the Knights had to revert to the air with a 23-yard Eric Delaney to P.J. Fleck TD pass as the end-of-quarter horn sounded.
The Knights added an extra point on the second touchdown when Fleck who was holding for a kick, faked the hold, got up and threw a perfect pass to - who else - Scoobie, in the end zone for a 2-point conversion. Matt Gladd added the other 3 extra points.
Kurt Long scampered 8-yards for another Kaneland touchdown in the second quarter as the Knights enjoyed a 36-0 lead at halftime.
But this was more than just another game. It was Homecoming. The stands where packed with the largest gate ever to see a Kaneland football game. Nearly a thousand Brats and Pork Chop sandwiches were sold. Throw in some fun packed halftime routines by the Kaneland cheerleaders together with the Men in Black and everyone on the south side of the field was enjoying Kaneland's 40th homecoming.
The Knights got the opening kickoff to start the second half and drove 68 yards for their 6th touchdown. Schrader who was like the Energizer Bunny just kept going and going as he popped through the line from 2-yards out for Kaneland's final TD. Gladd had the only hiccup of the night as he missed the extra point boot.
With the scoreboard displaying HOME 42 - VISTOR 0 - the running clock kicked in and poof - game over.
The Knights had 319 yards largely due to the offensive line, which played immense, against the bigger Tigers. "They're doing a great job - both running and passing," says Kaneland Field General Eric Delaney.
"We feel more comfortable with each game," says junior left guard Keith Snyder referring to sophomore left tackle Brain Stacker and himself. "The seniors have been great in helping us get better."
"We're very happy with the play of line," says offensive line coach Tom Fedderly. "They're improving in every game. The seniors (Adam Wallace, B.J. Mires, and Brain Herra) have been real leaders out there. Herra has been an anchor."
"This is a complete team sport," says Thorgesen. "This is a smart group of kids, and they show it on the field. But we want to do our talking on the field."
And they did. 42-0!
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