Hononegah falls in a heartbreaker to Harlem, 27–26 Indians slip to 3–1 as Huskies rally late to stay perfect in NIC‑10
Hononegah controls early, Harlem takes over late.
Hononegah Community High School football suffered its first loss of the 2026 season Friday night, falling 27–26 to Harlem in a dramatic NIC‑10 matchup at Kelsey Field. The defeat drops the Indians to 3–1, while Harlem improves to 4–0 and takes sole possession of first place in the conference.
Hononegah led for most of the game — including a 19–7 advantage at halftime — but Harlem stormed back with 20 fourth‑quarter points, capitalizing on a brief momentum shift and a thinning Hononegah roster impacted by injuries to both starting running backs and both middle linebackers.
Hononegah controls early, Harlem takes over late
Indians build a strong first half
Hononegah opened the scoring with a 29‑yard touchdown connection from Dominic Cacciatore to Giovanni Zepeda!
After Harlem tied the game, Hononegah responded with two second‑quarter touchdowns a 1‑yard run by Brody Sendele and a goal‑line keeper by Cacciatore to take a 19–7 lead into halftime.
Momentum shifts in the third quarter
Hononegah’s Head Coach Brian Zimmerman noted that the turning point wasn’t a single play, but a subtle lapse in focus:
“At one point in the third quarter they felt like we had it… there was a little mind lapse that allowed them to get two quick scores.”
The Indians continued to battle, extending their lead to 26–7 early in the fourth on a 25‑yard touchdown run by Ryan Fritsch, who also led the team in receiving yards.
Harlem’s explosive fourth quarter
Harlem’s comeback began with an 80‑yard touchdown run by LeBron Mcclelland, followed by a 23‑yard touchdown pass and the game‑winning 11‑yard strike with 43 seconds remaining:
The Huskies’ late surge sealed the 27–26 victory.
Key Hononegah Performances
Offense
- Dominic Cacciatore: 16‑of‑25, 197 yards, 1 passing TD + 1 rushing TD
- Ryan Fritsch: 4 receptions, 71 yards; 25‑yard rushing TD
- Giovanni Zepeda: 4 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD
- Brody Sendele: 17 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
Defense
- Logan Wilson: 6 solo tackles, 1 sack, 5 tackles for loss
- Silas Gibson: 2 interceptions for 23 yards
- Luke Moberg: 5 tackles, 1 TFL
Injuries force major adjustments
Hononegah’s depth was tested throughout the game. Both starting running backs and both middle linebackers left with injuries, forcing emergency personnel changes:
“Gambini came in… he’s an offensive right tackle for starters, but he had to play because we got really thin on linebackers.”
Despite the adversity, Hononegah’s effort remained strong.
What Hononegah can take into next week
Head Coach Brian Zimmerman emphasized effort, resilience, and the importance of finishing strong:
“Overall the effort of our guys was tremendous… we just had a brief lapse.”
Key takeaways heading into Week 5:
- Maintain focus with a lead
- Trust depth players stepping into new roles
- Clean up late‑game execution
- Build on strong individual performances
Next Game: Hononegah vs. Guilford — Friday Night at Kelsey Field
Hononegah returns home next week for a critical NIC‑10 matchup against the Guilford Vikings. At 3–1, the Indians remain firmly in the conference race, but Friday’s loss raises the stakes.
A win keeps Hononegah near the top of the standings. A loss would create a tougher climb.
