Sports
H-F Football Poised to Make Another Run
After reaching the Class 8A semifinals a year ago, the Vikings know they will get every opponent's best shot.
Homewood-Flossmoor Vikings
Coach: Craig Buzea, second season.
Last year: 10-3 overall, 6-1 in the Southwest Suburban Blue.
Opener: Aug. 26 vs. Chicago Senn, 7 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Outlook: Homewood-Flossmoor will look to build off of last year's surprising run to the Class 8A state semifinals. Quarterback Tim Williams is back, as are all of his receivers. The biggest is the offensive line. With just center Jake Thompson returning, the Vikings will need to find a solution early to have success. The Vikings' first two non-conference games are at home and a homecoming showdown on Sept. 16 against Lincoln-Way East may very well settle the conference championship.
Offense
Backs: Quarterback Tim Williams is a threat whenever he has the ball. He figures to lead an offensive attack capable of racking up points in bunches. The Vikings will look to fill the gap left by Malik Norman, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards and scored 37 touchdowns on the ground and in the air last year. Sheldon Jones and Anfernee Roberts will be the two featured backs. Also, look out for Taje Smith and Thaddeus Little.
Find out what's happening in Homewood-Flossmoorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Line: The biggest question mark on the team entering the season. Three-year varsity center Jake Thompson is back. Fifteen players are vying for the remaining four spots. Look for contributions on the line from Payson Wick, Jonas Campbell, Jericho Thomas, John Parish and Marquis Green. Also, 6-4, 295-pound sophomore Devin Pitts figures to be in the mix as well.
Tight ends/receivers: The entire unit is back from last year. Willie Ross will be the tight end, while Sean Jones, Gerald Butler and Kris Porche are the receivers. Look out for junior Pat Sheehan. He did not play football during his first two years of high school, but H-F coaches are impressed at what he did this summer and figure to get him the ball often.
Placekicker: Anthony Crescenti is back and the Vikings hope to use his strong leg to pin opponents deep in their own territory.
Defense
Linebackers: Outside of a couple of starts by Keith Carter as a sophomore, the entire unit will be new. Damon Davies, Nick Bell, Damola Akinsanya, Eric Hewlett, Keith Smith and Nate Farrell all figure to contribute.
Line: The line will be led by the return of two defensive ends Mike Anyiwo and Devon Porter. Tywan Cofield played behind Purdue recruit Michael Rouse last year and figures to step up this year. Elon Chamberlain figures to be in the mix as well.
Secondary: Most of the secondary returns. Sheldon Jones, Anfernee Roberts and transfer Jaylen Dunlap will be in the backfield. The corners will be Josh Raggs and Nick Watts. Thaddeus Little will be the free safety.
Punter: Eric Hewlett returns and will hope to be a key weapon for the Vikings.
Coach Craig Buzea said: The season will be considered a success if “We can make another run in the playoffs. If we come out and play like we are supposed to and piggy-back off of last year, we will have a successful year. We know it is a completely different team and nobody is going to give us points for what we did last year. We are going to have a bull's-eye on our chest. Last year, we snuck up on some people. This year, that won’t be possible."
