Ray Reyes de Hersey (9) is thwarted by a track defender while he tries to advance the ball in the midfield. (Joe Cukierski / Special in the newspaper)
It was a long football season for Hersey with so much to play, but it is the one that will remain in the memories for a long time for what the Huskies have accomplished.
For the first time in the history of the school, Hersey had a chance in the football championship of the boys of the class 3A of the IHSA. The Huskies made the trip by worth its time by winning the title on Lane Tech, 1-0, and by doing it on penalty 4-2 at the Hoffman Estates High School on Saturday evening (November 9).
The goalkeeper of the Huskies, Adrian Smakowski, made the big difference with not one but two quality stops on the penalty kicks. He even scored on the final kick that sealed the victory.
“It’s incredible!” Smakowski said. “I cannot be happier to bring a trophy home for our school and our coaches. This is the best possible way for our last year. It is a pleasure and an honor to have this team and this program to accomplish something. It’s great! “
For the Hersey coach Michael Rusniak, the great achievement finally struck at home. “Now it’s like it’s real,” said Rusniak. “Today, I had to continue to remember that we were playing in the state championship. Because it seems that it happens so quickly and that it is so exciting.”
All this excitement of a team of players who had the effort to win this state title.
“The most important thing is to know how (our guys) of their work worked hard,” said Rusniak. “This match was so exciting with a back and forth event. This is what you wanted in a state final.”
The Grayson Trinter de Lane (9) is getting closer to the Hersey Smakowski Addrain (1) when the Huskies goal tension is a breading backup. (Joe Cukierski / Special in the newspaper)
Smakowski has left his mark as one of the biggest leaders in the Huskies and in the title match.
“If there is a” man of the match “, he must certainly accompany him,” said Rusniak, “he is also our heart and our soul. His passion and energy every day in practice and games. He is the engine of the energy we have.”
After playing 80 minutes from an exhausting match in regulation in regular rain, the Huskies (19-2-5) and Lane Tech (17-3-4) had to play two hours of 10 minutes before settling the match in penalty kick.
Hersey started the PKS with the first who went largely from the post. This would leave the match in the hands of the goalkeeper of the Huskies Smakowski. He intensified and made a two -handed block against the first lane botter.
“The race (kicker) was embarrassing,” said Smakowski. “I chose to react only to move. I thought it was the best choice. It’s like that. I had two hands behind. I didn’t have to catch it and I simply stained it. It was a good decision. “
Johnny Antoniou de Hersey has made the next kick at the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage in the second round.
The defender of Lane Leo Vera (11) cannot follow a speeding Johnny Antoniou (10) of Hersey. (Joe Cukierski / Special in the newspaper)
Smakowski intensified again on Lane’s second kick with a layout diving on her right. But the ball went to the middle and next to part of its foot in the air and wide of the post.
“For the second, I decided to decide where to go on the kick,” said Smakowski. “I made a lower full right corner. However, he just pulled in the middle and I completely extended my legs and I launched it as far as possible. He got out of my right foot. “
Nik Van de Mark and Adam Bugaj followed with kicks. Then Smakowski intensified for the final kick that found the corner and brought the state championship back.
“I have been the fifth booter since the second year,” said Smakowski. “The only thing I pride is to manage the pressure. This year, it really took off. It is easy to choose a place, to take a deep inspiration and you have to believe in you. Everything you can do is your best; you cannot control the result. Besides that, have self -confidence.
The Hersey defender, Darii Kishchak (23), approaches the ball as he prepares to release his defensive zone against Lane. (Joe Cukierski / Special in the newspaper)
The Huskies have spent a little time in practice for the preparation in case a match in playoffs comes down to kicks.
“We would always do (penalty kicks) at the end of training,” said Rusniak. “These children would be excited for them. Often you should bring children to believe in themselves. But these children wanted it. We knew who would be our shooters. No.
Hersey has made the history of the school and the football program for boys, and this year will be the one to remember.
“It’s definitely up there as one of the best things,” said Rusniak. “Especially with this group. It could not be better with this group to win the state. These are memories, memories for life. It will be exciting to look back.”
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