Sports

Offensive Explosion Ends Warrior Season in Big Way

Deerfield High School football team averages over 58 points in last three games to finish 3-2 in league play.

When a football team averages more than 50 points a game, those watching can usually expect to see a lot of long passes but that is not the case with the Deerfield High School football team.

After starting the year 1-5—0-2 in Central Suburban League North Division play—the Warriors averaged more than 58 points to win their last three games to end the year with a 3-2 conference mark and a 4-5 record for season.

The latest Deerfield onslaught was a 70-40 shellacking of Niles North Friday at Adams Field after blanking Maine East, 43-0, Oct. 18 and walloping Maine West, 62-40, Oct. 11. In those three games, the Warriors threw three passes, none against the Vikings Friday.

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“We didn’t need to,” Deerfield Coach Steve Winiecki said when asked why his team stuck to a ground game. “We had 11 possessions and 10 touchdowns.” The Warriors gained 619 yards on the ground most of it coming up the middle from a quartet of seniors.

“The seniors really wanted to go out in a big way,” Winiecki said. “They played at an unbelievable level.” Fullback Landen Hinds carried the ball for 196 yards, fullback Alec Frank added 153, quarterback Ben Ethridge chipped in 133 and slot man Sam Modro contributed 99. Between them they accounted for all but 38 of the Warriors’ yardage.

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“If we execute the option right it’s a big play offense,” Winiecki said. “Landen (Hinds), Alec (Frank) and Ben (Ethridge) ran off 20, 30 and 40 yard chunks. It’s great for our kids. Kids really want to block for it.”

Nevertheless, when Deerfield dropped four straight after an opening day 15-0 win over Zion Benton, Winiecki and his staff they found a way to keep the Warriors motivated so they could reel off their last three victories for a winning conference mark.

“The one way we keep putting it (to the players) is it’s always bout us, about the things we do,” Winiecki said. “We keep doing what we believe in and what we do in Deerfield football.”

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