The H-F football team is off to a great start, and they’re planning to have another great season as they continue to bounce back from last year’s 21-7 IHSA Quarterfinal loss to Marist. 

The Vikings’ season started off strong, picking up a season-opening win against T-F North 54-20. The offense picked up right where it left off last season, scoring on the first drive with a 34 yard touchdown pass and finishing the first half with three rushing touchdowns. 

Week two was no different. After a two hour trip to Mishawaka, IN, H-F had another big offensive game defeating Penn 35-7.

The Vikings controlled the majority of the first half, starting with an 11 play, 89 yard drive. The special teams unit also stepped up when junior wide receiver William Pauling scored an 80 yard punt return touchdown.

The Vikings defense stepped up in the second half holding Penn to zero points, which proved to be their key to victory.

After an exciting week of homecoming activities at H-F, the Vikings decided to have a little fun themselves by defeating Andrew 35-14. Another convincing win started out with a 54 yard pass to Pauling on the second drive of the game. 

The Vikings offense struggled to get it going after the long touchdown pass. Andrew forced a punt, intercepted a pass and later threw a passing touchdown in the second quarter. But after that, H-F forced a fumble and scored two touchdowns to gain momentum going into halftime.

Senior quarterback Dominick Jones threw for four touchdowns, but Head Coach Craig Buzea is not surprised by his early success.

“Nothing that Dominick Jones does surprises me. He has put us in a position to win every snap these last three years,” Buzea said.

The Vikings have a tough schedule ahead, with upcoming games against Lockport and Lincoln Way East on the road. 

So how does H-F prepare for playing the second ranked team in Illinois? The Vikings are taking it week by week, focusing on Lockport first.

Buzea has his team playing with a hard-working mindset and ready to get better everyday.

“Our mindset is that we just go to work everyday and prepare to get 1 percent better,” Buzea said. “If we feel like we have gotten one percent better then we feel like we have a chance to compete.”

Lockport cannot be overlooked, even with a 1-2 record. The Porters are coming off of a strong defensive game, holding Lincoln-Way Central to three points. H-F has play solid all-around to win this game tonight.

 “We are just going to handle business this Friday, and then focus on Lincoln Way East,” Jones said.

For the second year in a row, H-F will face off against Lincoln Way East away in Frankfort. This is a clear disadvantage for the Vikings, but after a tough 48-6 loss against Lincoln Way East last year, H-F has a chip on their shoulder and is looking for revenge.

The key to the Vikings’ success all year has been the explosive offensive, but they must be playing well all-around to win the game. 

They must also be able to limit Lincoln Way East’s success with the ball as well. If they expect to win this game, they can’t give up 48 points like they did last year.

H-F will try to prove that they’re one of Illinois’ top teams during their two-game road trip starting tonight.