Homewood-Flossmoor overruns Lincoln-Way Central

Updated: September 9, 2011 11:54PM

For good reason, Homewood-Flossmoor’s offense is what everyone talks about. But the Vikings defense is out to prove it can play, too.

H-F forced five turnovers Friday and the Vikings’ offense went wild in the second half of a 42-7 SouthWest Suburban Blue win over Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox.

“Our coaches have been on us about our defense every week in film study,” said H-F’s Afernee Roberts, who had two interceptions to go with two offensive touchdowns. “We know the offense is going to put up points and it’s up to us on defense to shut other teams out. We came out and did our job in the second half.”

H-F (3-0, 1-0) struck first with 9 minutes, 14 seconds left in the second quarter. Roberts took a pitch from quarterback Tim Williams on the option and ran 10 yards to pay dirt on fourth-and-3. The big play on the drive was a 28-yard screen pass from Williams (16-of-21 passing, 288 yards, 3 TD) to Sean Jones (7 catches, 144 yards).

The big momentum swing of the game came in a span of less than two minutes late in the first half. Central (1-2, 0-1) was driving for the potential tying score when Thad Little intercepted a Cale Hayes pass in the end zone.

Less than two minutes later, Williams hit Jones on a 27-yard TD strike. Anthony Crescenti’s second of six extra points made it 14-0.

The Little pick was the third turnover the Vikings forced inside their own 25. Earlier, Roberts had an interception at the H-F 5 and the Vikings recovered a fumble at their own 24.

“It was frustrating because we didn’t finish,” Central coach Brett Hefner said. “We can’t give away possessions.”

H-F scored on its first four possessions of the second half to pull away. Taje Smith (17 carries, 141 yards) dashed for a 72-yard score before Williams found the end zone on a 4-yard keeper, hit Roberts on a 6-yard TD pass and connected with Sheldon Jones on a 31-yard scoring strike.

The Knights scored on a 77-yard TD pass from Hayes (8-of-17 passing, 180 yards) to Kevin Ward (8 catches, 194 yards).

Brett Ditchman carried 32 times for 97 yards for Central.

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