Hoffman Estates Overcomes Conant, Retains Mayor’s Cup 28-14

Hoffman Estates football team demonstrated remarkable resilience, defeating cross-town rival Conant 28-14 on October 14, 2023. With this victory, Hoffman Estates retained the Mayor’s Cup for the sixth consecutive year. The win not only marked a turnaround after two losses but also secured Hoffman Estates’ place in the playoffs, bringing their record to 6-2 overall and 2-2 in the Mid-Suburban Conference West.

The Hawks quickly took control of the game, jumping to a 14-0 lead. Despite facing a fierce comeback from Conant, who tied the score early in the second half, Hoffman Estates managed to pull away for the win. Receiver Torey Baskin played a pivotal role, contributing with two crucial touchdowns. “We were just tired of losing,” Baskin expressed after the game. “We really locked in this week and made sure that we handled business.”

Hoffman Estates head coach Tim Heyse praised his team’s effort, stating, “This team fights until the end, whistle to whistle.” He acknowledged the need to address turnovers, identifying them as a persistent challenge over the past few weeks. “That has been our Achilles’ heel the last three weeks. It has to stop.”

The game saw notable performances from other players as well. Landon Ford rushed for 88 yards and scored twice, while JMari Jackson added a touchdown run. Baskin recorded six catches for 104 yards, including a critical 21-yard reception on fourth down and an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Austin Lezniak.

Conant, with a record of 3-5 and 1-3 in the conference, fought back valiantly. Their quarterback, Tyler Marchese, initiated a comeback with a spectacular 77-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter. Moments later, he connected with Sarma Abhimanyu for a touchdown, tying the game at 14-14.

Despite this momentum, Conant could not capitalize on opportunities, failing to score in the fourth quarter. The Cougars drove deep into Hoffman Estates territory, reaching the 4-yard line late in the game, but fell short on a fourth-down attempt. Conant’s defense forced three turnovers, highlighted by an interception from Anthony Burns and a fumble recovery by Joey Rofus, yet they could not translate these efforts into points.

Conant head coach Anthony Donatucci emphasized the need for relentless play, saying, “We asked them to play like their hair was on fire… We were fine in the first half, we just shot ourselves in the foot against a good team like Hoffman.”

With this victory, Hoffman Estates not only solidified its playoff position but also demonstrated their determination to overcome adversity. As the season progresses, the team will need to address the issues highlighted by Coach Heyse to ensure continued success.