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Hawkins eliminates voidRich South stuns MeteorsBy ALAN MACEYShawn Hawkins always wanted to be a running back, but with all-state candidate Dwight Driver in the line-up that wasn't likely to happen.When Driver injured his ankle in the season’s opening game, Hawkins took over and has been running to daylight ever since. The 5-foot-ll, 170-pound senior tailback exploded for four touchdowns yesterday to lead visiting Rich South to a 29-13 nonconference victory over TF North at Calumet City.“I didn’t feel any pressure taking over Dwight’s position,” said Hawkins, who was the team’s starting flanker.“I’VE BEEN waiting for this chance. I’m just tryingto make the most of it.” /“We miss Dwight, but we’ve always got people ready to play,” added quarterback Ramon Robertson. “Shawn sure has great speed. You saw what he did today.”TF North’s vaunted defense, which played so well in close opening defeats to Marian Catholic and Marist, only saw Hawkins’ back.“That kid (Hawkins) has great speed,” said TF North coach Jerry Munda. “He broke our back.”WITH RICH SOUTH (2-1) trailing 7-6 at halftime, Hawkins continually left TF North out of breath in the second half. First, he returned the kickoff 88 yards for a stunning touchdown Chris Albright’s conversion run pushed the visiting Stars in front, 14-7.TF North, which marched 59 yards in 10 plays for its first-half touchdown (two-yard run by Brian Bonic), struck again in similar fashion after Hawkins’ return.The Meteors again needed 10 plays, this time moving 67 yards as Curt Bailey (19 carries, 93 yards) culminated the drive with a two-yard run at the 6:23 mark. Mirko Jurkovic, who missed the fourth quarter because of a bruised knee, was stopped on the conversion run as Rich South still led, 14-12.After the subsequent kick return, Hawkins gained two yards to his own 33, then followed a block by fullback Albright and was again off to the races for a 67-yard score.“WHEN SHAWN gets in the open field, he’s something to watch,” said Albright. “He really saved us today.”Albright was the hero on the conversion to put the Stars in front, 22-13. He was set to kick the extra point, but the snap from center was fumbled. Albright picked up the ball, ran to his left and found teammate Sean Scott open for the two-point play.“It sure wasn’t planned that way,” smiled Albright. “I was looking for anyone who was open.Rich South, which forced TF North into three fumbles and one interception, completed the scoring with 7:27 left in the fourth quarter when Hawkins, who finished with 170 yards in just 11 carries, added a 25-yard scoring run. This time Albright kicked the extra point for a 29-13 final.“TF NORTH had us on the ropes in the first half,” said Rich South coach Nick Misch. “Shawn had a 47-yard run from scrimmage, but that was it. We made a lot of mental mistakes. But the kids did a good job in the second half. Shawn really made things happen.”After TF North took its quick 7-0 lead, Rich South took advantage of a major gift. Forced to punt at its own 26, TF North’s Bailey got the kick away and Hawkinsfumbled into the arms of TF North’s Joe MacDonald. In addition. Rich South was called for roughing the kicker.But both penalties went for naught because TF North had too many players on the field, thus forcing another punt attempt. This time Bailey’s attempt got caught in the wind and ended up rolling back to his own seven yard line.On first down, Hawkins scored with 2:03 to play in the first period.“We gave them that touchdown, said Munda, whose team dipped to 0-3. “We’ve been doing too much of thatlately.”Just like Hawkins has been doing a lot of damage with Rich South’s main Driver on the sideline
Newspaper Details
Homewood Star
Homewood, Illinois, US
Sun, Sep 20, 1987
Page 51
Full Page
Clipped by
Aimee B.
USA 31 Aug 2018
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