The Heyworth football team continues to buzz as the Hornets have clinched the playoffs for the first time since 2013. The Hornets secured the playoff berth after going into Bunnie country and dominated after the 1st quarter, improving their record to 6-2. Cooper Johnson went off, as he rushed for 210 yards and 3 TDs. This performance got him nominated for Pantagraph Player of the Week so I suggest anyone reading to vote for him. This win got capped off as the Hornet bench erupted when linebacker Mason Klawitter took an interception to the endzone for a pick-six as Heyworth won 54-12 over Fisher. They have exceeded all expectations given to them in the preseason and have proved many people wrong during this historical season. But from this point on there will be no easy games left. The playoffs are coming up, but there is no reason to look ahead because the Hornets take on the 6-2 GCMS Falcons. This game is huge for both teams, as the winner has a legitimate chance to host a playoff game. What's at even more stake is the conference championship. If GCMS wins this game then they will clinch the championship outright, which will be their first since 2019. If Heyworth wins this game, they will share the championship with GCMS and LeRoy which they have not done since 2008. The winner of this game will finish the season 7-2 and have momentum heading into the playoffs.
GCMS is coming into this game 6-2, but they have played many tough games this year. Their two losses were to Dee-Mack and Forreston. Dee Mack was a tough defensive battle but ever since that game, they have switched up their offense to more of a spread style. The Forreston game was an unbelievable fight by the Falcons and showed that the HOIC can compete with the best small school conference in Illinois. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they were just short as they lost in a last-minute defeat 22-21. But they got a huge home win 8-6 over the previously undefeated LeRoy. The Falcons are ready for this game. I interviewed GCMS starting running back Aidan Sancken on Tuesday and he knows that this game will be important. “It would be just about everything for the team to be conference champs, the last time we even came close was our last state championship”. He is referring to the 2018 GCMS team that went 14-0 and was the last team from the HOIC to win an IHSA state championship. But despite the meaning of the game, they have the same mentality. “Our mindset is just like every other game, a shutout on defense and good production on offense. If we stay focused and determined we can walk away with a win”. Gibson’s defense this year has been shut down this year, as besides a 3-hour trip up north to Forreston they haven’t given up more than 2 touchdowns in a game this year. The offense struggled early, but starting quarterback Brayden Elliott has been playing some good football lately has he is quickly establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. Last year, the Falcons dominated the Hornets 33-7 on both team’s season finale. This year, the game means way more. The GCMS Falcons are gonna try to prove once again on Friday that they are one of the best teams in the HOIC, regardless of which division. One problem is that Gibson has not been healthy at all recently, as the injury bug has hit them pretty badly. But they aren’t gonna let injuries bother them. “It’s always next man up in these situations and I know we have lots of talent that can contribute in other ways”. Despite these injuries, the GCMS Falcons have still had a great season and a conference championship could make the season that much greater.
The Hornets come into this game with the same record as GCMS at 6-2 despite GCMS having the better conference record at 4-0. The Hornets are coming off of a blowout over the Fisher Bunnies improving their record in conference to 3-1. The GCMS win over LeRoy still gives Heyworth hope at achieving history but the players know that this task will not be easy. This week we interviewed senior starting defensive end Devyn Porzelius about the upcoming game. Friday night will be his and this senior class’s last regular season game. For the last 10 years, this would have been the last game these boys ever play together. But this team and these seniors are different. They are making Heyworth history as they clinched a playoff spot and have a chance to make their season so much more special. “We are excited and ready for the playoffs” stated Devyn when asked what he was looking forward to. But the Hornets understand that this game is very important too. “This game is very important to us, we need to stay focused, be calm, and work our rear ends off if we want to win”. Devyn is one of the tougher players on the Heyworth defense, as his mindset is very football-like. “My mindset is to stay confident and find somebody to hit”. The Hornet's defense must have had a similar mentality last week as after the 1st quarter they did not let the foot off the gas. They held the Bunnies to 0 points after the 12-0 deficit in the middle of the 1st quarter. The offense also looked really good last week. Cooper Johnson and Tyler Wills combined for 5 rushing TDs and the Fisher defense could not stop the runs outside. Now, Heyworth continues to go for history. The Hornets not only have a chance for a share of the conference championship, but they have a chance to compete with GCMS which has not happened in Heyworth in forever. The Hornets have worked so hard since the summer and this week they got another chance to show it under the Friday Night Lights at home. This is perhaps this group of boys' last game under the lights before they get to the cold Saturday afternoons during the playoffs, so to say they are motivated to win this game would still be an understatement.
So for my prediction, I have some factors. How much will the losses on the offensive line impact the game for GCMS? The Falcons are already without one of their star players Ty Cribbett, and have lost two of their starting linemen. Injuries are just a part of the sport and I bet this Gibson coaching staff will still have their boys ready to compete. Another factor is whether Cooper Johnson can continue his unreal YPC (yards per carry) versus one of the best defenses in the conference. And I feel like the last factor is that will Heyworth be able to stop Brayden Elliott. Heyworth struggled against the pass early in the game vs Fisher, which got them down 12-0. But, they defended the pass way better in the 2nd half and if they can continue that momentum I think they have a legit chance to win the game. My prediction is that Heyworth takes home their best win under Coach Albaugh and takes down GCMS in a game that will be down to the wire. Heyworth wins -22-16 over GCMS. I think Heyworth continues the second-half momentum from last week and gets up early. Usually, GCMS kicks PATs, but if Heyworth converts their 2-point conversions they will have to start going for 2. This would be Heyworth’s first win vs Gibson since MaxPreps was created. This means this would be the first time in at least 20 years, but it’s gonna be a challenge. The boys will play hard in their final regular season game before they are off to the playoffs. Playoff football is finally back in Heyworth.
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