With Hinsdale Central’s season hanging in the balance in its Class 8A playoff opener against Neuqua Valley, there was little doubt where the ball would go when the Red Devils needed a quick score.
Trailing 29-19 with just under seven minutes left, the Red Devils put the ball in the hands of receivers Brad Huth and Kareem Muhammad.
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The duo combined for four receptions on the last offensive drive for Hinsdale Central. Muhammad’s 9-yard touchdown catch cut the lead to 29-26 and gave the Red Devils a chance to continue its season with 5 minutes, 13 seconds remaining.
However, No. 19 Neuqua Valley (7-3) was able to run out the clock, securing a 29-26 win and ending No. 14 Hinsdale Central’s comeback attempt in Hinsdale on Saturday, Oct. 31.
“Those (Huth and Muhammad) are the two guys we have leaned on since week one,” Hinsdale Central coach Dan Hartman said. “With the game on the line, we wanted to make sure we put the ball in their hands, and they were able to make plays.
“I just wish we would have got it back one more time, to try to get it to them again.”
Junior quarterback Josh Bean took all the snaps after platooning with Michael Sessa throughout the season.
“To be able to throw to those guys, I was the luckiest quarterback in the world,” Bean said. “Those guys give it their all in practice and on every single play. They really showed tonight that we would not give up, even in situations like that.
“We kept fighting. This is a family, we do it for each other.”
Huth led Hinsdale Central (7-3) this season in receptions (69) and yards (836), with most of his catches coming in the middle of the field from the slot position.
“He is the most reliable receiver I have ever seen,” Bean said. “He catches everything that goes his way, and gives up his whole body for it.”
Huth was looking forward to the chance to make a play when the Red Devils were trailing in the fourth quarter.
“Obviously, it did not end the way we wanted it to,” Huth said. “In that last drive, I was going to leave it all on the field, no matter what happened. I know I left it all out there.
“However the defense played it is where the ball goes. The quarterback makes the read and throws it out there.”
Muhammad’s TD catch gave him the team lead in touchdown receptions (10), breaking a tie with Matt Cherry.
The Red Devils mixed in their passing game with a strong ground attack. Senior running back Christian Bobak rushed for 144 yards on 25 carries and scored two touchdowns.
Patrick Kelly is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.