Hononegah Stands Tall as they surge past Belvidere North 38–15, Closing out an 8–1 Season With a Statement
I love how they came out with the energy they had in the second half.
Hononegah didn’t just win Friday night — they announced themselves. In a game that started uneven and ended emphatic, the Indians overpowered Belvidere North 38–15 behind a bruising ground attack, a sharp passing performance, and a second‑half defensive surge that flipped the entire tone of the matchup.
The victory caps an 8–1 regular season, one defined by resilience, growth, and a team that consistently found another gear when it mattered most. Now, Hononegah waits for the IHSA playoff brackets to drop Saturday night Oct 17 2026 at 9 p.m., knowing they’ve earned their place among Illinois’ top teams.
A Slow Start — Then a Storm
Belvidere North struck first, punching in a 7‑yard touchdown run at 4:29 of the opening quarter. Hononegah answered quickly. Jacob Duval, who would go on to deliver one of the best performances of his career, ripped off a 9‑yard touchdown run to give the Indians a 7–6 lead.
North briefly regained momentum with a 44‑yard field goal, but Nolan Meadors responded with a 33‑yard boot of his own, sending Hononegah into halftime up 10–9.
That’s when everything changed.
Third Quarter: Hononegah Takes Over
The third quarter belonged entirely to the Indians — a 21‑point avalanche that broke the game open.
- Duval exploded for a 15‑yard touchdown run.
- Colton Banker powered in a 1‑yard score.
- Duval struck again, this time ripping off a 33‑yard touchdown, his third of the night.
By the time the quarter ended, Hononegah led 31–9 and had seized complete control.
Duval finished with 8 carries for 90 yards and 3 touchdowns, averaging 11.3 yards per carry. His kickoff return of 51 yards added another spark early in the game.
Behind him, Marice Szarzynski added 45 yards on just three carries, including a 44‑yard burst. Banker chipped in both a rushing touchdown and a reception.
Cacciatore Steady and Sharp
Quarterback Dominic Cacciatore delivered a composed, efficient performance, going 12‑of‑18 for 147 yards and a touchdown. His lone scoring throw came in the fourth quarter — a 15‑yard strike to Ben Shockley, who led all receivers with 4 catches for 74 yards.
Cacciatore also added 5 yards rushing and guided an offense that averaged 9.0 yards per play.
Zimmerman praised his quarterback’s response after throwing his first interception of the season:
“I know he’s been taking enormous pride in the fact that he hasn’t thrown an interception yet. I felt like he came back and wasn’t afraid to throw the ball in traffic. He’s just done an outstanding job. He’s gonna do great things even at the next level wherever he decides to play.”
Defense Finds Its Fire
Belvidere North ran the ball 53 times for 233 yards, but Hononegah’s defense stiffened when it mattered most — especially after halftime.
Logan Wilson led the way with 9.5 tackles, while Tristen Ginn added 7.5.
Cavan Palmer delivered the game’s only sack, dropping the quarterback for a 9‑yard loss.
Hononegah totaled 5 tackles for loss, including key stops from Evan Hulburt, Levi Sanders, and Silas Gibson.
Zimmerman credited his staff for the turnaround:
“Hands off to North, they did a great job. In the first half, they had us on our heels quite frequently. We made a few adjustments up front — Coach LeMay, and the defensive staff came out with a little bit more fire in the second half.”
Those adjustments paid off. North managed only one late touchdown, long after the game had been decided.
A Team Built for the Moment
Zimmerman emphasized how much this group has grown — not just tonight, but throughout the entire second half of the season.
“The guys played really well in the second half — really second half of the season. These guys have been making strides every single week. I love how they came out with the energy they had in the second half.”
With the win, Hononegah looks like a top seed and should earn a valuable week of rest before the postseason begins.
“Hopefully we get drawn well in the playoffs,” Zimmerman said. “With the 8‑1 run we will be in the top 16 teams and we’ll just kind of see where we end up.”
Now the Waiting Begins
The IHSA playoff brackets are released Saturday night Oct 17 2026 at 9 p.m., and Hononegah will be watching closely. Whoever appears on the other side of the bracket will face a team that has found its identity — fast, physical, and confident.
The second half of the season told the story.
The second half of this game confirmed it.
Hononegah is rolling and ready.
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