Deerfield showed off a new offensive formation against rival Highland Park on Friday, Sept. 30, but the first-time starting quarterback the Giants threw at the Warriors proved to be the better weapon.
The Giants made amends for last year’s loss to the Warriors with a 14-0 Central Suburban North victory at Adams Field in Deerfield on the arm of junior quarterback Johnny Sakos and the legs of running back DJ Penick.
After a scoreless first half, Sakos engineered a 74-yard drive on Highland Park’s opening second-half possession, highlighted by a 53-yard completion to D.J. Westbrook to put the Giants (4-2, 1-1) in the red zone.
“We decided to give Johnny a try at quarterback,” Highland Park coach Joe Horeni said. “The change worked well, but (regular starter David) Adelstein will play plenty of football for us this year.”
Sakos completed six of nine passes for 120 yards. Penick ran for 99 yards — including 65 in the second half — and both touchdowns.
Deerfield (3-3, 0-2) started the game with the ball and a new formation as Kenny Kerstein, Ari Nadler and Charlie Jones lined up in a row directly behind quarterback Jonah Silverglade.
“We wanted to get more athletes on the field,” Deerfield coach Steve Winiecki said. “We found more guys who can run the ball.”
Kerstein led the team with 79 yards rushing.
Steve Sadin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @sadinsteve
