McHenry Times

McHenry-area football fields have come alive again, although it's taking awhile for the Harvard High School squad to do the same.

The Hornets opened with a 13-7 loss to Oregon (Illinois) High School. The Hawks scored touchdowns in the first and third quarters, while Harvard's lone touchdown came in the second quarter on a 3-yard run from Danny Pena. 

The Hornets were then shutout in their next two games, first 22-0 by Plano High School and then 47-0 by Woodstock North High School. They came close to a win in their next game, against Woodstock High School, losing by a single point, 26-25.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, Crystal Lake Central High School (CLCHS) started its season winning three out of its first four games, beginning with a 36-21 defeat of the Grant High School Bulldogs. Crystal Lake Central put up 31 points in the first three quarters. Senior quarterback Jacob Staples led the Tigers, putting up 163 yards passing and running for 205 yards and two touchdowns.

CLCHS took on rival Crystal Lake South High School next, putting up points in every quarter and coming out on top, 34-29.

The Tigers’ only loss of the year at the time of publication has been against Prairie Ridge High School, who overwhelmed CLCHS, winning 56-13. The Tigers managed to score in the first and second quarters but were held scoreless in the second half.

The Henry D. Jacobs High School Golden Eagles split their first four games, opening with a loss against the Huntley Red Raiders, but coming back with a dominating 51-12 win over Dundee-Crown High School. The Golden Eagles were in control from the start, scoring 15 points in the first quarter and putting up 38 unanswered points in the first half.

The Golden Eagles then claimed a 56-28 win over CLSHS, only to be on the opposite side of a rout the following week, losing 52-26 to Cary-Grove High School.

The high school football season continues through September and October, followed by playoffs.