HINSDALE — Hinsdale Central running back Juwan Edmond found his inspiration on the first offensive play of the game Friday night, when he watched York’s Morgan Alexander break loose on an 80-yard scoring run to give the Dukes a 7-0 lead.
“I wanted the same thing,” Edmond said. “I wanted that 80-yard touchdown run, but I guess I could not get it.”
Instead, the senior had to settle for 278 rushing yards and three scores while carrying the Red Devils to a 41-21 win in their West Suburban Silver opener in Hinsdale.
Edmond scored on runs of 29, 22 and 45 yards, and set up a Red Devils’ fourth quarter score when a scampered 62 yards to the York 3-yard line.
“I have to give props to my offensive line, they opened up some holes today,” Edmond said. “(It was) mostly because Coach (Dan) Hartman was on them all week about opening holes (for us).”
The Red Devils (2-1, 1-0) used sophomore quarterback Josh Bean in place of injured starter Matt Rafferty. They pounded the ball on the ground in the second half, only attempting two passes. Bean completed 4-of-7 passes for 59 yards in the first half.
“Finally as an offensive line we were all on track and all on the same point,” Hinsdale Central center Josh Mysliwiec said. “Because in the past, there was always one or two people that would miss an assignment or miss a block. This game was finally the time that we put it all together, and that is what is going to happen more often.
“Overall (Juwan) is a very fast and hard runner and he will hit the hole going a thousand miles-per-hour. Once he gets in the open field, not a lot of people have the speed to catch him and stop him.”
York (2-1, 0-1) took a 14-13 lead early in the third quarter when Robert Dunn connected with Kyle Coughlin for a 12-yard TD.
Trailing only seemed to motivate Edmond, who contributed 189 yards and two TDs after the Dukes took the second-half lead.
“He (Juwan) is the type of kid that has a lot of fight and a lot of pride,” Hartman said. “He knew going in that with the weather he was going to get his chances. With the way he performed, we could not ask for anything more.”
Morgan Alexander was York’s top performer, rushing for 130 yards on 17 carries.
Hinsdale Central’s defense forced three turnovers in the second half, as Jimmy Thompson, Alex Byrnes and Frank Saltiel each had interceptions. Saltiel returned his pick 61 yards for a fourth-quarter score.
