BARRINGTON — Barrington junior Alex Serrano turned heads at a University of Nebraska football camp this past summer.
On Friday night, the 6-foot-3, 280-pound junior right tackle had the Hersey defense heading for cover. Serrano contributed several pancake blocks for the Barrington running game and was just as much a stalwart on pass blocking.
“Last year I was kind of struggling sometimes to push people off the ball, but this year I just want to dominate,” Serrano said.
Serrano and his Broncos teammates defeated visiting Hersey 32-15 Friday to remain undefeated (3-0) on the season.
Serrano was a starting guard on the 2013 Barrington team that advanced to the playoffs. This year, he was ready for the switch to the tackle position.
“He came in figuring, ‘All right, I’ve got a year under my belt,’ ” Barrington offensive line coach Steve Galovich said. “He doesn’t just want to play well, but he believes he can be one of the best guys on the field. He’s the most physical kid we’ve got on the offensive line.”
Serrano’s teammates also appreciate his physical play.
“He’s matured a lot since last year,” Broncos senior center Matt Reiser said. “He’s a phenomenal player. It’s great having him on the line.”
“I really want to play O-line at a good Division I school,” Serrano said. “Nebraska said they liked what they saw.”
Barrington’s offense has put up gaudy numbers, averaging nearly 37 points per game this season. Against MSL East foe Hersey (1-2), the Broncos used big plays on special teams and defense to put the game away.
Clinging to an 18-13 lead at halftime, Barrington’s Matt Moran returned the second-half kickoff 77 yards, breaking two tackles near the Broncos’ 40 and running untouched to the end zone.
“[Moran’s] return to start the second half gave us huge momentum,” Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said.
The game was still in doubt at 25-15 in the fourth quarter when Barrington cornerback Scotty Miller stepped in front of a short pass on the sidelines and returned it 39 yards for the clinching score.
Hersey quarterback Eric Portenlanger threw two touchdowns — connecting for 17 yards to Teddy Fotos and a 33 yards to Will Trossen. Hersey scored its other points on a safety. Barrington’s offense produced three touchdowns in the first half. Quarterback Johnny Davidson threw two 5-yard scoring strikes to Mitchell Pfeiffer, and JT Henderson added a 6-yard touchdown run.
Portenlanger finished the game 17-for-29 for 178 yards and three interceptions. Davidson, meanwhile, was 11-for-19 for 99 yards and two interceptions while rushing for 88 yards on 15 carries.
Barrington’s defense held Hersey to 66 yards rushing, as linebackers Jake Coon, Mark Bornhofen along with defensive back Blake Jacobs and defensive end David Danhauer were constantly in the Huskies backfield. Danhauer, Travis Cysewski and Miller had the Broncos interceptions, while Erik Anderson and Cole Monckton recorded the Hersey pickoffs.
