By Nick Stanojevic
Executive Sports Editor
A hot start and a 14-7 lead at halftime was not enough for the Knights to pick up a win last Friday against York in the season opener, eventually falling 34-21. In the second half, with the absence of senior running back Peter Bonahoom (13 carries, 121 yards), who was suffering from leg cramps, and a couple of defensive slips, the Knights lost the lead and the game.
Offensively, according to Bonahoom, the team “self-destructed” and only managed to score seven more points. Meanwhile, the defense fell victim to York’s star running back, senior Ryan Kent, who had 164 yards on 17 carries, including three rushing touchdowns, and caught three passes for 75 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown pass.
“Defensively, besides the three or four big plays they had, we pretty much shut them down all night, “Bonahoom said. “We forced third and longs and fourth and longs but there would be scheme busts or discipline busts.”
York had fewer offensive yards than Prospect, getting only 419, opposed to Prospect’s 463. Twice, however, Prospect surrendered a touchdown on a fourth down play.
“It’s rough when you stop them three downs in a row and then it all breaks down on you from there,” Bonahoom said. “It’s aggravating, but it’s something we can fix.”
Despite the loss, Bonahoom holds that there were “glimpses” of what the team is able to do. One of the successes of the night was the offensive line, who lost three starters from last year.
“I was really proud of the offensive line, probably more than anybody really on the offensive side of the ball.”
The team’s next opponent, Fremd, who also lost last Friday, 20-10 to Lake Zurich. With the team playing its first game at home, Bonahoom has confidence.
“If we can come out with a good attacking attitude, hit people up front and win in the trenches… I think we could hold it to a pretty good game and hopefully come out on top.”