Belvidere North Edges Hononegah 27-24, in Thriller as Community Rallies for Benny
Our offense came out and moved the ball against a very stout defense.
ROCKTON, IL — Under a sky glowing pink with purpose, Hononegah High School took the field Friday night not just to battle Belvidere North in a hard-fought NIC 10 football matchup, but to honor a local kindergartener whose courage is inspiring a community.
The game, was dubbed “PINK OUT for BENNY,” a fundraiser organized by the Hononegah Booster Club to support Benny, a Prairie Hill Elementary School student who recently celebrated his sixth birthday. Fans packed the stands in pink shirts and hoodies, with 30% of merchandise sales going directly to Benny’s family. The atmosphere was electric, filled with compassion and competitive fire.
On the field, Hononegah and North delivered a gridiron classic. Despite a valiant effort, Hononegah fell just short, losing 27–24 in a game that came down to the final minutes.
Hononegah Head Coach Brian Zimmerman praised his team’s resilience, especially on defense. “I was so proud of the way the defense stepped up, especially in that first half,” Zimmerman said. “I felt like, other than a couple of minor plays, we were stepping up. And when we would get behind the sticks, you know, that's tough. They don't like to be there. And certainly our offense came out and moved the ball against a very stout defense.”
Hononegah struck first with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Drew Shockley to Caleb Parker, but North quickly answered with a 50-yard sprint to the end zone by Ben Bucher. The teams traded scores throughout the night, with Hononegah briefly taking the lead in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard manchild touchdown run by Shockley. However, North sealed the win with a late touchdown run by Andrew Bucci.
Statistically, North dominated the ground game, racking up 336 rushing yards to Hononegah’s 134. Senior Ben Bucher led all rushers with 130 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries, while senior Andrew Bucci added 86 yards and two scores of his own. Hononegah’s senior Drew Shockley threw for 149 yards and a touchdown, with junior wide receiver Caleb Parker hauling in five catches for 107 yards.
Despite the loss, Hononegah’s defense showed grit, Emerson Gantz led the way with seven, while Brady Jarvis and Tristen Ginn added six and five respectively.
Off the field, the night belonged to BENNY. The fundraiser drew overwhelming support, with fans, players, and coaches alike donning pink in solidarity. The Hononegah Booster Club’s initiative turned a football game into a celebration of community strength and compassion.
As the final whistle blew and players shook hands, the scoreboard told one story—but the sea of pink in the stands told another. Hononegah may have come up short on the field, but in the hearts of many, they won where it counted most.
