Palatine Pirates Secure Playoff Position with Victory Over Hoffman Estates

The Palatine Pirates bolstered their playoff aspirations with a decisive 35-21 victory against the Hoffman Estates Hawks on the evening of October 6, 2023. This win marked the Pirates’ fourth of the season, improving their record to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play. The standout performance came from junior running back Kole Fager, who scored four rushing touchdowns, showcasing his skill and determination on the field.

Palatine’s head coach, Corey Olson, praised his team’s resilience after navigating a challenging schedule earlier in the season. “Everybody knows that we’ve had the most grueling schedule through the first five weeks out of anybody in the state of Illinois. So that’s galvanized us,” Olson stated. Following a strong start that included a win over Rolling Meadows and a thrilling overtime victory against Prospect, the Pirates faced three consecutive losses that briefly brought them below a .500 record. Coach Olson emphasized the unwavering spirit of his players, saying, “Never did our kids ever waver, never did they lose belief, never did they stop working hard.”

In the game against Hoffman Estates, Palatine established dominance early on with an 11-play scoring drive, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by Fager. He expressed the team’s collective mindset, asserting, “Palatine football is running the ball and running it hard.” This tenacity was evident as the Pirates controlled the pace of the game, particularly through their offensive line’s performance.

The Hawks’ initial possession ended abruptly when defensive back Jett Greiwe intercepted a deflected pass, giving Palatine excellent field position. Olson highlighted his defense’s effectiveness, stating, “We’re a dyed-in-the-wool Cover 2 team. So you’re going to have opportunities to intercept the ball in those situations.” Following the turnover, the Pirates executed another strong drive, capped by a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Will Santiago to Brennan Wright, extending their lead.

Despite a fumble by the Hawks and a blocked punt by Palatine, Hoffman Estates managed to score when quarterback Austin Lezniak connected with receiver TJ Bond for a 69-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 21-7 at halftime. However, Fager’s determination shone through as he rushed for another touchdown just before halftime, reinforcing the Pirates’ control of the game.

Entering the third quarter, the Hawks attempted a comeback with a touchdown pass from Lezniak to wide receiver Dunmi Oginni, bringing the score to 21-14. Nevertheless, Fager responded with a spectacular 26-yard touchdown run, solidifying his crucial role in the team’s success. Coach Olson noted Fager’s versatility, saying, “He’s integral to our success as a football team on both sides of the ball.”

Despite a final touchdown pass from Lezniak that kept the Hawks within reach, Fager capped the scoring for the night with his fourth touchdown. Reflecting on the team’s performance, he stated, “What we do is just run the ball hard, stay aggressive, and be a team that puts forth effort every single down.”

Looking ahead, the Pirates will face their crosstown rivals, the Fremd Vikings, in a matchup that promises to be fiercely competitive. Coach Olson acknowledged the significance of the rivalry, saying, “You pretty much throw the records out of the window. It’s a crosstown rivalry, the game is always going to be a good one.” With their playoff hopes alive, the Pirates will aim to maintain their momentum in this critical encounter.