Hinsdale Central running back Christian Bobak was limited in the early part of the season with a minor leg injury, even missing the Red Devils’ 42-7 victory over Downers Grove South on Sept. 4 as a precaution.
The senior is making up for lost time, though, and has rushed for over 100 yards in three of the last four games, including on Friday, Oct. 9, when Hinsdale Central (6-1, 4-1) defeated West Suburban Silver rival Lyons 51-21 in Hinsdale.
Bobak finished with 139 yards on 18 carries, including an 11-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
“We have been practicing the same thing over the entire season,” Bobak said. “It is really starting to click now that we have been doing it so long.
“The linemen have been doing a great job all season. They were doing a great job in the first couple of weeks, but I am just getting more comfortable running behind them.
“Earlier in the season we were passing a lot, because defenses were trying to stop the run. We always just take what the defense gives us.”
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Against Lyons (5-2, 2-2), Bobak bounced off tackles and had six carries of at least eight yards, including a 44-yard run in the opening quarter.
“I felt really good,” Bobak said. “Our conditioning and all the work we put in the offseason is helping us be really strong. That really helps with breaking tackles a lot.”
The offensive linemen noticed that Bobak does not regularly go down on the initial contact.
“He is playing fantastic; he is hitting his holes very hard and is a hard runner,” senior guard Will Hughes said. “He always seems to find the right hole. It is awesome knowing that a guy can break away from a tackle and break the run for 10 or more yards after being hit.”
Running the ball proved to be a good game plan against Lyons. Sophomore running back Garrett Oakey spelled Bobak and ran for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.
“Running the ball is great, it really opens up our passing game,” Hughes said. “When we run the ball well, it controls the clock, too, late in the game.”
Game notes
Finding ways to score was not an issue for the Red Devils.
Michael Sessa tossed a touchdown pass to Matt Cherry on the opening drive after Hinsdale Central started with five straight passes.
Junior quarterback Josh Bean also ran for two scores in the second half.
Brady Garber kicked three field goals, hitting from distances of 22, 40 and 42 yards.
“It was nice to see Brady hitting two long field goals,” Hinsdale Central coach Dan Hartman said. “We knew he could do it; we just have not had the chance to let him do it in a game, yet.”
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.