Hinsdale South receiver Ravon Johnson connects with QB to rout Proviso East

DARIEN — For most of the first half, Hinsdale South was having a tough time putting together any traction on offense against Proviso East.

The Hornets weren’t making plays and they were committing penalties at inopportune moments, turning third-and-shorts into third-and-longs and eventually into missed chances.

With a little over five minutes left in the second quarter and the game still scoreless, the Hornets elected to go for it on fourth-and-9 on the Pirates’ 24. Junior quarerback Robert Regan threw a sharp pass up the middle to junior receiver Ravon Johnson, who converted the first down and get the ball inside the Pirates’ 5.

The Hornets went on to score on a one-yard keeper by Regan two plays later to give them a 7-0 lead.

“It definitely got us momentum,” Regan said. “It helped us get things going on offense and good things started to happen for us.”

With the touchdown, the Hornets forced the Pirates into making critical mental mistakes, which led to three more touchdowns in a span of three minutes that turned a close game into a blowout.

The fourth touchdown in the second quarter was another Regan-to-Johnson connection. This time it was a 34-yard reception down the sideline to give the Hornets a 27-0 lead. They never looked back, routing the Pirates 40-6.

“We have a bunch of guys who can make plays on any given night,” Hornets coach Mike Barry said. “I always preach to these guys about being selfless and to give their all for the team and that things will happen for them.”

Regan went 9-of-16 passing for 143 yards and had 12 carries for 56 yards and two rushing touchdowns. More than half of his passing yards came on tosses to the 6-1 junior receiver, who was able to use his size to make catches over the shorter Pirates’ corners. Johnson had four receptions for 96 yards and all of his receptions were for at least 20 yards.

“We have good chemistry and we work well together on offense,” Regan said. “I know that if I put it up there high enough he’ll be able to catch it.”

“When I get my opportunity, I do my best to make the most of those chances because I want to do well and I want to help my team whenever I can,” Johnson said.

• The Hornets (4-0, 2-0 WSC Gold) face their biggest test so far on Friday when they visit undefeated Addison Trail. Johnson knows the game will be challenging, but isn’t stressed about it. “We need to stay focused and we can’t slack off. Gotta keep working on the things we’ve been doing well as well as the things we haven’t,” Johnson said.
• The Pirates (1-3, 0-2) got their points on a 51-yard touchdown catch by senior receiver Marcus Givens late in the fourth quarter during the running clock. Givens also had 35 return yards and 18 yards rushing on two carries in the loss.