Homecoming Means More This Year

Homecoming is always a special time both on and off the field, but this year, the game has a little more meaning for the because the game coincides with the opening of their conference schedule.

“This is a big game for us because it’s an open league,” Barrington’s head coach Joe Sanchez said about the tough MSL-W division the Broncos play in that has all the teams but Hoffman Estates at .500 or above.  “It’s important to get out to a good start to give yourself a chance (at the division championship).”

Sanchez is hoping for a fast start against the winless Hawks during Saturday’s game at 2 p.m., and knows that even with Hoffman having a rough couple of years finding wins on the gridiron (only two wins since 2008-2009 season), they are no easy target.

“If you look at the way Hoffman has played us over the years, they always make it a challenging game,” said Sanchez of the Hawks who look to play homecoming spoiler, similar to when they upset Barrington in 2007’s homecoming (21-14). 

Another example would be just last year when a winless Hoffman Estates team played undefeated Barrington to a 17-6 loss a week before the Hawk’s ended a long losing streak to Conant.

“(Hoffman Estates) has tough kids that are going to come out hard and won’t quit until it’s over,” Sanchez went on to say.  “And because of the area, some of these kids grew up with each other, so there is some extra incentive to come out and play well.”

Only averaging 8 points a game, the Hawk’s offense has struggled to find some consistency due to an abundance of turnovers. Fifteen Hoffman Estate turnovers (10 interceptions), has resulted in lopsided scores and has seen the Hawk’s defense give up an average of 48 points per contest.  

“Scores can be deceiving,” Sanchez said.  “Anything can happen when you don’t come out and respect your opponent and the game...this is a game where we have to be ready to go and do our thing,” Sanchez went on to say.

That means Barrington (3-1) will continue with a run attack behind an offensive line that averages more than 225 yards per game pitted against a Hawk defensive line that has allowed 360 yards (7.2 yards per carry).  Expect whoever lines up in the backfield, Chase Murdock, Justin Dragosz, Austin Schmidt, A.J. Scarborough, or any combination, to see ample chances.  Hopefully Barrington penalties will not stall drives and more importantly take points of the scoreboard.

The Bronco defense will perhaps have their own chances to put points on the board against the Hawks while increasing their takeaway totals (5 interceptions and 5 fumbles) as well. 

Seniors Sam Handler and Hank Mitchell are currently tied with two interceptions apiece and should have an opportunity for another try or two against Hoffman’s quarterback Jordan Hudak. The senior has passed for over five hundred yards and completed nearly 50 percent of his passes, but most of that has come from being forced to throw while his team is trailing and has resulted in predictable play calling that caused a bulk of his 9 interceptions.

Not only has the Bronco defensive line done well pressuring and rushing opposing quarterbacks, but they have been stopping the run.  Barrington only allowed 85 yards of rushing against Hersey, and a mere 16 yards rushing in the second quarter of Barrington’s 37-15 win over Wheeling last week.  The D-line should stop a Hawks running game that averages less than 100 yards per game.

Sanchez isn’t worried about how the Broncos start. After all, the team had a 9 point lead after 30 seconds of last week’s game and a 37 point lead by halftime.  In fact, the Broncos have led or been tied at halftime in every game so far this season.

“We have done a good job of limiting teams and being able to come out and match each team’s intensity early on,” Sanchez said.  “Our whole theme has been finishing the game and finishing in the second half...I think as we grow throughout the season we are starting to learn some of these things (it takes to finish a game) and we will learn more about our team this weekend."