The boys varsity football team cruised to victory in their final game of the regular season at Hinsdale South on Friday, Oct. 20 by a score of 42-7.

A home playoff game was on the line for the Red Devils, so they needed a win to guarantee it.

Though the margin of victory seems substantial, the Red Devils did not get off to the start they were hoping for. Connor Bauer, senior quarterback, had his first pass intercepted by the Hornets. The team offense was also stagnant for the first few drives as they moved only 27 yards in 11 plays.

The defense did not let up though, as they did not allow a score while the offense was not moving.

Bauer bounced back after his interception with a 56-yard touchdown pass to Matt Bjorson, senior tight end, putting the Red Devils up 7-0. The first score got the team going and led to an eventual rout over the Hornets.

“It made the guys all hyped up,” Bauer said, in an interview with mysuburbanlife.com. “We came out a little bit slow, and we didn’t match their intensity initially.”

Luke Skokna, junior running back, rushed for a 10-yard touchdown with just over a minute left in the half, making the score 14-0.

The Hornets scored their first and only touchdown of the night off a 69-yard scoop-and-score, making it a one-possession game at 14-7.

Skokna answered by running in his second rushing touchdown of the game, and soon after, Bauer connected to Bjorson for their second touchdown, respectively. Skokna scored once again in the third quarter, making it his third score of the night. The third quarter ended 35-7.

Bauer once again threw a touchdown to Bjorson, their third touchdown connection of the game, making the score 42-7. The score gave the Red Devils a definitive lead, putting away any chances of a Hornet comeback.

“We played well, with great effort by both sides of the ball. The defense made a lot of pivotal stops that got the offense rolling,” said Tommy Fitzsimmons, junior wide receiver. “It always feels good to get a win against South.”

The defensive unit held the Hornets offense to 115 yards in total and forced three turnovers.

Bjorson led the team in receiving yards with 104 yards in total, averaging 34.7 yards per reception and three touchdowns, thanks to Bauer who threw for 186 yards and three touchdowns as well.

The Red Devils won the “Battle of District 86” by a score of 42-7, as they claimed the Doings Cup XXXV.

#IHSA Football Class 8A pairings posted #IHSABrackets pic.twitter.com/O9etpwytYa

— Illinois High School Association #IHSA (@IHSA_IL) October 22, 2017

The team finished the regular season with a 7-2 record. The Red Devils are seeded #11 in a loaded 8A playoff bracket. The first playoff game will be played on Saturday, Oct. 28 against #22 Stevenson High School on Dickinson Field at 3 p.m.

“We are the underdogs because of our playoff records from the last few seasons, even though we are a higher seed,” said MJ Cook, offensive linemen. “I want us to prove everyone wrong this year.”