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Hubbard (2-0) is considered one of the top teams in the Public League in the Chicago area. The Greyhounds enhanced that reputation last Saturday by rushing for 363 yards in a 34-20 win over Evanston (0-2) at Murney Lazier Field.
Hubbard dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football as they limited the Wildkits to only six yards rushing in their home opener.
“We have so many good running backs,” said Hubbard head coach Elton Harris. “The receivers get kind of mad because we do run so much. If you have a good ground game, you can pass the ball.”
“They were a very physical football team,” admitted Evanston’s first-year coach Mike Burzawa, who had guided Driscoll to three state football titles over the last three seasons while losing only once. “They’re stronger than we are.”
Hubbard attempted only six passes with freshman quarterback Quincy Skanes. No reason to put the ball in the air when two of your running backs can run for over 100 yards per game. Senior Bill Taylor, who was a quarterback as a junior, paced Hubbard’s attack with two touchdowns and 130 yards rushing, while Ronnie Oliver followed his blocking for 123 yards. Jerry Laseter contributed with 75 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
Of some concern for city teams have been turnovers, penalties, and punting, however. The Greyhounds won despite four turnovers, 16 penalties, and a blocked punt.
“We messed up on special teams,” said Harris. “We gave them two touchdowns.”
Hubbard built a 14-0 lead as they scored on its first two possessions in impressive fashion. Laseter broke loose for a 36-yard run on the game’s third play. The defense forced Evanston to punt, and Taylor capped a 42-yard drive with a one-yard run.
The Greyhounds opened the contest in the shotgun and Oliver ran for 48 yards.
“We should have scored,” stated Harris.
Evanston took advantage of two miscues on punts to tie the game in the second quarter. Hubbard’s punter fumbled the snap, which led to an 11-yard fumble return by Antonio Sanders. The Wildkits blocked a punt on Hubbard’s next series to tie the game.
Give the Greyhounds credit for responding on the road. After the blocked punt, Hubbard answered with a 74-yard drive that ended on a five-yard run by linebacker Darius Moffett.
Evanston closed the margin to 21-20 on George Sorensen’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Josh Perryman with 1:21 left in the first half.
Evanston never could recover as they were unable to run the ball or stop Hubbard’s rushing game. In the first half, Evanston had only four first downs and allowed 303 yards of total offense.
Thanks to Hubbard’s offensive line, the Greyhounds put the game away with two drives to start the second half. Laseter scored on a 14-yard run to start the third quarter. Taylor sealed the road win with a three-yard run early in the final quarter.
Both teams are trying to get their act together before conference play. Evanston is trying to learn a new offense, while Hubbard has a freshman quarterback. Skanes is still learning the offense and completed four passes for 89 yards while Sorensen struggled with four interceptions.
“I think the kids are buying into everything we want to do,” said Burzawa on his new team. “They are here to work hard and to become better football players. We need to improve on our fundamentals. Everybody needs to get a little bit better. I believe in what we’re doing. I believe we’re going in the right direction. I know where we want to go. I think I know how to get there.”
Evanston is coming off a 1-8 season and has been to postseason play only twice in the last ten years.
Harris has built a good program at Hubbard winning seven section championships, two Prep Bowls, and three Public League titles. Harris is hoping to guide Hubbard to a state championship—something that has eluded Public League squads.
“Our goal is to win the state championship,” said Harris. “We’ve won Prep Bowls. We’ve been to Soldier Field. We need to keep working together and stick together. We can get over that hump.”
For now, Harris has bragging rights in his own home after beating Evanston, where his wife works and two sons attend school.
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