Homewood-Flossmoor blows past Joliet Central

Updated: October 8, 2011 5:56PM

Two first quarter Joliet Central fumbles led to an early 21-0 Homewood-Flossmoor lead as the Vikings defeat the Steelmen 56-0 in a Southwest Suburban Blue Conference showdown Saturday afternoon.

Six-foot-7 Homewood-Flossmoor quarterback Tim Williams (5-7, 169 yards) hit Sean Jones on a 69-yard strike on the second play from scrimmage to quickly open the scoring.

“The plan was to isolate the receiver one-on-one,” said Williams. “Then it’s up to him to get open and he did.” Williams did admit that being 6’7” helps him to see the field a lot better on those pass plays.

Williams then plunged in from the one a few minutes later after the first Steelmen fumble. Williams ended up passing for two touchdowns and running for a third.

“It’s great to have a quarterback Tim’s size,” Vikings coach Craig Buzea, “and he’s so mobile, too. I wouldn’t trade Tim for anyone.”

“We put the ball on the ground way too much today,” Steelmen coach Mike Maloney said.

On the next possession after Williams’ second touchdown, Joliet quarterback Carlos Curry (4 of 10, 43 yards) turned to pitch the ball to running back Braxton Thompson. Only one problem—Thompson wasn’t there. But Homewood-Flossmoor’s Keith Smith was. Smith scooped up the loose ball and walked into the end zone for a 21-0 lead.

“We have a problem with trust,” Maloney said. “One of the players went the wrong way. It’s my fault really. I’ve been drilling Curry to trust the pitch, trust that your teammate will be where he’s supposed to be.”

By the time Williams was replaced by Antoine Ward late in the second quarter, the Vikings (5-2, 3-2) were ahead 42-0. It did not get easier for the Steelmen with Ward as quarterback, however. He ran four times for 80 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run. Ward also completed a 22 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Allen Shelton.

This being only the second year for Joliet Central’s varsity football program (0-7, 0-5), every game is a learning experience, said coach Maloney. “We will teach off the film,” Maloney said. “We hit a speed bump here today. We’re progressing, but this was not our best effort.”

Homewood-Flossmoor coach Craig Buzea was impressed. “He’s doing a good job,” Buzea said. “He’ll get this thing turned around.”

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