Four downs: Talking points from Week 4

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Bolingbrook’s Quentin Pringle (5) carries the ball. Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times.

Homewood-Flossmoor defense proves a point

The preseason is full of storylines. There hasn’t been any football played, so everyone is searching for an interesting angle. Most of those wind up in the trash can by Week 4.

That isn’t the case at Homewood-Flossmoor. The Vikings (4-0) talked all about defense before the season began and on Friday against Bolingbrook they delivered.

The Raiders (3-1) have two top-notch running backs, Michigan State recruit Anthony Williams Jr. and Quentin Pringle. Homewood-Flossmoor held the duo to just 58 yards.

“We had a simple game plan,” Vikings coach Craig Buzea said. “[Bolingbrook] has two guys that could be playing in the NFL one day in their backfield. We wanted to run the ball, keep them off the field and make their quarterback beat us. Our guys executed the plan to a T.”

Running back Leon Tanna has stepped up and become a force. He had three touchdowns and 263 yards for the Vikings against Bolingbrook.

H-F hosts Lincoln-Way West on Friday and then has a showdown against top-ranked Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort on Sept. 28.

A Monster up north

It’s time to start paying attention to Antioch. The Sequoits (4-0) beat Wauconda 49-13 on Friday for their 23rd consecutive regular season victory.

Antioch is allowing just 10.5 points a game and showcased some explosive offense against the Bulldogs (2-2).

Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis was 12 of 17 passing for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Receiver Zach Grindley had 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Running back Nick Wiley added 142 yards on the ground.

The Sequoits have an excellent chance to enter the playoffs undefeated. They only face one team the rest of the season, Lakes, that is over .500.

Small school respect

McNamara dominated its first three opponents this season by a combined score of 163-19 and were ranked sixth by the Associated Press in Class 3A heading into the week.

Despite that success, it was a loss on Friday that should actually get the Fightin’ Irish some respect. McNamara lost a 21-20 heartbreaker to Class 4A powerhouse IC Prep in Elmhurst.

McNamara (3-1) led 14-0 after three quarters. The Knights (4-0) rallied back and then pulled out the victory on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Khalil Saunders to Jake Lytton with 16.2 seconds to play.

Fox Valley favorites

Prairie Ridge, Jacobs and Huntley have all been ranked in the Super 25 at some point this season. But after four weeks of the season it seems clear that Cary-Grove is the team to beat in the conference and maybe in all of Class 6A

The Trojans dominated their first three opponents this season and knocked off Huntley 35-20 on the road Friday.

Cary-Grove (4-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A by the Associated Press. Quarterback Ben McDonald is off to a terrific start this season and was dominant against the Red Raiders, accounting for 412 total yards and four touchdowns.

Contributing: Beth Long

Sun-Times high school football stories:

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