9-05-2024 10:34pm

Hononegah Indians need to be ready for a much improved Jefferson J-Hawks squad

Rockton, IL Hononegah Indians open the 2024 Football Season

Update: Hononegah won, and Harold has the story.

The Hononegah Indians travel to Rockford Auburn to take on Rockford Jefferson Friday night Sept 6, 2024. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.

Hononegah is coming off a dominant performance against Rockford Auburn, easily getting by the Knights 48-6. The Indians defense started early with tackles for losses on three of the first five plays and held Auburn to just 46 total yards in the game. The defense was credited with two safeties as well as four sacks -the first safety was in the 2nd quarter and the 2nd came in the 4th.

Leading the way on the ground was senior running back Curt Smith with 74 yards. He also led the team in yards-per-attempt with a 14.8. Senior quarterback Dominic Kelly got the start and contributed two rushing TDs. He started the game after competing with two other QBs during offseason training and fall camp. The two other signal callers (Thomas Castelli and Drew Shockley) did get some reps in the game with Castelli getting the only throwing TD for Hononegah, connecting with Caven Colwell for a 25 yard TD midway through the 3rd quarter to push the lead to 45-0. Shockley came in and ran the ball four times for 30 yards in the 2nd half and he showed that if needed he can move the team as well as the first two signal callers.

This week's matchup should be a more competitive contest as a vastly improved Jefferson J-Hawks team hosts the Indians. The J-Hawks lost to Rockford East 32-20 last week. A couple of turnovers could have made a huge difference in the outcome the game..

The players to keep an eye on this week are:

#18 QB Sebastian Bracius

#23 RB Lashawn Gathright

#21 WR Mike Townsend Jr.

The connection through the air is something to keep an eye on this week as the Sebastian Bracius to Mike Townsend Jr connection was a hit last week. In the loss, they hooked up for a 53 yard pitch and catch as well as Townsend Jr. grabbing a 26-yard TD. He ended the night with four catches for 95 yards and a 23.8 averagr per catch. Player of the game last Thursday for the J-Hawks was Lashawn Gathright - he ran for 101 yards, while averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. He got to pay dirt two times in the 32-20 loss.

If you're attending the game or listening to Andy Gannon on the Big Radio App, expect the winning formula again to be Defense, Running Game and Special Teams. The offense in the air will be a work in progress all season long. However, the big, deep, strong, offensive line will be a driving force as the Indians look to repeat as NIC-10 champs in 2024.

Current conference standings are below:

School W L

Belvidere North	1	1
Harlem	1	0
Boylan Catholic	1	0
Rockford East	1	0
Hononegah	1	0
Belvidere	0	1
Freeport	0	1
Rockford Auburn	0	1
Rockford Guilford	0	1
Rockford Jefferson	0	1

A self-described sports evangelist, Harold Bone is the Rockton-Roscoe News sports editor who is committed to finding stories behind-the-box scores and discovering engaging sports content. Harold has a background in many forms of media - everything from radio to TV. He has spent the last 25-plus years attending, following, and cheering for teams and athletes from the pros and colleges to local high schools and youth recreational leagues. Harold is passionate about creating engaging stories for athletes and sports fans in the Rockton/Roscoe/South Beloit, Illinois communities. Got a story idea? Contact Harold via email at harold@roscoenews.com and follow him on Twitter at @SPRTSEDRRNews.