Hall, Hornets Run Wild on Mustangs

head coach Michael Barry challenged his offensive line prior to the team's homecoming battle against the Morton Mustangs.

Not only was the challenge accepted, but the Hornets passed the test with flying colors as they steamrolled their way to a 42-0 victory Friday night.

Senior running back Keontae Hall was the main beneficiary of the offensive line's rugged play up front. Hall rushed for 206 yards and scored two touchdowns in the victory.

“We challenged them before the game," Barry said. "We put it upon them and told them, 'If you get the job done, we've got a good chance to win.' We're a young offensive line, but they're coming together and working hard.”

The Hornets' hard work paid off in the form of a 21-point effort in the first half, which proved to be more than enough. Junior quarterback DJ Deolitsis tossed a pair of touchdowns, while Hall jump-started the offensive outburst with a 36-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.

Hinsdale South swung the momentum in its favor right off the bat, forcing the Mustangs into a fourth down punting situation. The Hornets' special teams unit broke through the line, blocked the punt and recovered the ball to set up the score.

The Hornets tacked on their second score when Deolitsis, who also had a 70-yard touchdown rush in the second half, hit senior wide receiver Bryan Taheri on a swing pass to the left side. Hinsdale South's wideout did the rest with some slick moves and nifty footwork, scampering for the 41-yard score that put the home team up 14-0 with 27 seconds left in the first quarter.

Morton wasted its best scoring opportunity in the waning moments of the second quarter. The Mustangs started their drive at their own 6-yard-line, pushing the ball all the way to the Hinsdale South 10-yard-line. On first and goal, senior quarterback Ismael Ledezma was intercepted in the end zone by Taheri, thwarting the Mustangs' potential scoring drive.

It was one of five turnovers forced by the Hornet defense, three of which were interceptions.

Hinsdale South turned the first turnover into points when Deolitsis connected with junior wide receiver Justin Ward on a 30-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left before halftime. The two hooked up earlier on the drive when Deolitsis hit Ward with a 59-yard pass that moved the ball out of the shadow of the Hornets' goal posts and into scoring position.

“The thing I'm most pleased with is that we've gotten better as the season has gone on, and we were able to execute in all three phases of the game,” Barry said. “At this point of the season, that's what you're really striving to do. Now, we've got to keep on doing it.”

The Hornets return to the gridiron next Friday when the team travels to Downers Grove South for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.