The scenario was an offensive lineman’s dream.
Sixteen plays, 44 yards, grinding out nearly eight minutes of clock. Three key fourth downs converted in a drive that included 13 run plays.
The late third-quarter drive resulted in no points in Hinsdale South’s 20-16 loss Friday to Addison Trail, but it proved a point.
The Hornets intend to give their opponents nightmares the rest of the season.
Hinsdale South was the first team to score more than 10 points against a tough Addison Trail defense, as the Hornets ran for 164 yards. A fourth-and-1 stop at the Addison Trail 4-yard line, combined with a controversial chop-block penalty, thwarted a potential game-winning drive for Hinsdale South. But it didn’t prove too discouraging for a team that sits at 4-1.
“We didn’t win the game, which was a terrible feeling for everybody, mainly because they are 5-0 and we’re not,” said 6-foot-6, 230-pound senior offensive lineman Malik Gordon. “But we walked away from that field knowing that we earned their respect.”
The offensive line, which includes seniors Conner Pilch, Darrick Miller and junior Chris Oehmen in addition to Gordon and Ikjot Wahi, succeeded despite a critical injury that hampered starting running back Marcus Curry. Curry managed 31 yards on eight carries, but quarterback Robert Regan picked up the pace with 92 yards on 22 carries, despite being sacked three times.
“It was tough, especially looking back and knowing that if we scored on that drive we could have put the game away,” Wahi said. “I still think this game put us on the map. Addison Trail is a top 50 team in the state and everyone was giving them props. They hadn’t been down at the half all year and we’ve never trailed at the half. I think we were doing really well, moving the line, especially since they were putting seven in the box the whole game.”
Of their remaining four opponents, beginning Friday against Leyden, two teams have winning records. And if Addison Trail stumbles, the Hornets still have a shot at a West Suburban Gold title.
“After Friday night we all didn’t get much sleep,” Gordon said. “We were talking and texting each other all night. But the next day we went to practice, all we were talking about was getting ready for Leyden. One game doesn’t make or break a season. We’ve got more games to get ready for.
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“And we’ve got a legacy we want to establish.”