After an undefeated regular season with their sights on a long awaited state championship, the Vikings’ (10-1) season was cut short after a 28-21 loss to the defending 7A state champions, Glenbard West Hilltoppers (10-2).

“It didn’t really hit me with what was happening when the clock was winding down,” senior free safety Justin Correll said. “As the time ran out, it sank in that my senior season was coming to an end even though it had just begun.”

Winding down the clock was something Glenbard was able to do well according to Daily Southtown sports columnist Pat Disabato.

“They were able to establish a running game, which ate time off the clock and limited the time H-F’s offense could get on the field and produce some fireworks,” Disabato said.

During the time H-F’s offense was on the field, Glenbard’s defense was able to limit the Vikings’ big plays and also limited senior wide receiver Tyrice Richie to seven catches totaling 71 yards. Richie averaged 132 yards and roughly two touchdowns a game.

“[Glenbard] makes very few mistakes, and they capitalize on the mistakes of their opponents,” Buzea said.

The biggest mistake came late in the second quarter when senior quarterback Bryant Wright threw an interception at the 12-yard line.

“Wright had some big shoes to fill replacing Bryce Gray,” Disabato said. “Wright had a great season. He’s a different type of quarterback than Bryce, but he was equally effective.”

While many called this a ‘rebuilding’ season for the Vikings, this team accomplished more than what many outside of the locker room expected.

“Our program is such, that we believe in the process we put forth and try to follow it each and every year. We don’t set limits, and we respect all and fear none,” Buzea said.

After finishing the season 9-1 last year, the Vikings became the first H-F football team to have an undefeated season since 1993. They also re-claimed the Alec Anderson travel trophy and won conference for the second year in a row.

“I’m proud of their efforts and how they attacked each challenge as O.N.E. No egos, just a group that played together and didn’t care who got the credit,” Buzea said.

The team was able to achieve all this while battling the injury bug the entire season, never having their full team.

“The highlight of my season was being able to come back from an injury and put up 203 yards on our huge rival Bolingbrook,” senior running back Tyler Nutall said.

Despite all the accomplishments the team had this season, Wright said what he will miss most is the bond he shared with his teammates.

“I’ll miss the brotherhood and how we handle and do things,” Wright said. “I hear from here on out, football becomes more so a job, rather than a real brotherhood.”

Buzea is proud of what his team was able to accomplish and will miss the fun they brought to the game.

“[This was] a fun group to be around. There was a lot of different personalities that knew when to have fun and knew when it was time to get some work done,” Buzea said.