Some in the media have predicted the Maine South football team will suffer a drop-off this season.
But the Hawks’ opening-night 44-13 win over defending Class 6A state champion Montini suggests otherwise.
The Hawks (1-0), playing at home on Friday, Aug. 26, in Park Ridge, were led by junior running back Fotis Kokosioulis (20 carries, 183 yards, 2 TDs), new starting quarterback Nick Leongas (15-for-24, 278 yards passing, 3 passing TDs, 1 rushing TD) and a defense that gave up just one score. However, Maine South’s success came against a Montini team that was at less than full strength.
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“We executed pretty well. I’m happy with the execution,” Maine South coach Dave Inserra said. “Fotis (Kokosioulis) is as good as advertised. Nick (Leongas) was a nice one-two punch with him. On defense, besides one long run, we played well, got our hands on the ball a little and got a few sacks.”
The game started a bit shaky for Leongas, who not only fumbled his first carry, but saw it picked up and returned for a 60-yard touchdown by Montini senior defensive back Brendan Rauen.
But Leongas quickly settled down, hitting senior receiver Luke Hinkamp (35-yard TD) and junior receiver Cam Stacy (15-yard TD) for a pair of first-quarter scores to give the Hawks a 13-7 lead.
Leongas’ passing helped set up the rushing game, and Kokosioulis added touchdown runs of 28 yards and 13 yards as Maine South took 27-13 advantage into halftime.
Montini (0-1) got its only offensive touchdown in the second quarter when senior running back Will Smith Jr. scored on a 69-yard run.
The Broncos were without top running back Prince Walker, a senior, who was nursing a quad strain. Meanwhile, top receiver Mitch West (Purdue recruit) was limited to defensive back duties because of a broken right hand.
In the third quarter, Maine South extended its lead to 35-13 with a Leongas’ 24-yard touchdown pass to senior Matt Holbrook. Leongas, a senior, added a 5-yard run late in the quarter and senior Sean McNulty kicked a 42-yard field goal.
McNulty, playing right offensive tackle, and senior Kevin Jarvis, a Michigan State-commit lining up at left guard, anchored the Hawks’ impressive offensive line.
“(Maine South) had better execution up front than we did. We just couldn’t seem to get anything going and we couldn’t stop them,” Montini coach Chris Andriano said. “Their quarterback (Leongas) was the difference. He made a lot of plays and showed what he was made of. We couldn’t stop him in the first half.”
Andriano said he hopes Walker and West will be back on offense when the Broncos host Lake Zurich on Friday, Sept. 2.
Maine South’s daunting early-season schedule continues on Saturday, Sept. 3, when it travels to play defending Class 8A state champion Loyola.
It will be another statement game for the Hawks, who, according to Leongas, are out to prove they are as good as Maine South teams of the recent past. The baiduhai did not rank the Hawks, who won the Class 8A state title in 2008, 2009 and 2010, in its preseason top-20 poll.
“When we saw our preseason rankings and how people were underestimating us, it certainly hit us right in the heart,” Leongas said. “I really think this team is special.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @danshalin
This story has been modified to reflect the following correction:
The article misstated the first name of the Maine South offensive lineman who has verbally committed to Michigan State. He is Kevin Jarvis, not Matt.