Senior quarterback Anthony Bradley has seen this before for Hillcrest.
Last year, the Hawks opened up the season 0-3 and had to scramble to make the playoffs. He was a big part of the turnaround, stepping in during the early going for his injured brother, Gary.
This fall, the Hawks also started out 0-3 and are scrambling again to make the playoffs. But Hillcrest coach Kyran Weaver knows he has the right player in the right place at the right time.
“Anthony has had his ups and downs, playing through some nagging injuries and whatnot,” Weaver said. “But he has grown up. He’s comfortable, and it’s been a whole maturation process.
“He’s a returning all-conference guy, and that’s something we’ve never had at quarterback. We’ve had guys make all-conference, but it’s on their way out. He’s in full control of the offense.”
Bradley was indeed in control in the most important game of the year to date for the Hawks.
He threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns Friday night to help host Hillcrest top previously unbeaten Oak Forest 34-8 in a South Suburban Blue game in Country Club Hills.
Senior receiver/tailback Jamari Thomas ran for 81 yards and a TD on eight carries and added an 84-yard TD reception for the Hawks (4-4, 3-2). Jacob Johnson and Derrick Streeter also had TD runs. The Hawks can become playoff eligible it they win their road game Friday at Tinley Park.
The Bengals (7-1, 4-1) scored more than 40 points in each of their first seven games and looked like they were in business when sophomore running back Ethan Copher ran for a 19-yard TD and threw a 2-point conversion pass to Ryan King to create an 8-0 lead.
The Hawks went to work on defense, however, shutting down Oak Forest the rest of the way. Senior linebacker Christian Finley, who had an interception in the fourth quarter, was fired up.
“We get scored on and our heads were down, but we lifted them back up and did what we had to do,” Finley said. “After that, we played our game, and if we play our game, nobody can beat us.”
Just as unbeaten was the connection between Bradley and Thomas for the 84-yard TD in the fourth quarter. It turned out to be a work of art, even if it didn’t start that way.
Bradley wiggled his way out of trouble and then found Thomas at midfield. Thomas took it from there, using his speed and a couple of moves to find the end zone.
“I didn’t know he was going to be right there until I escaped the pocket,” Bradley said of Thomas. “I was trying to make the best out of it.”
Bradley wasn’t surprised that his teammate made the situation even better.
“That’s Jamari Thomas,” Bradley said. “He’s done that before.”
Thomas, meanwhile, passed the credit to Bradley.
“(Anthony) and I are on the same page,” Thomas said. “It’s chemistry, chemistry, chemistry. That’s all that is. Once I got the ball, there was space and I took the opportunity.”
It’s one of the things that Bradley, who started playing quarterback as a freshman, enjoys about the position.
“You can be a leader,” Bradley said. “Even though people might say that all you have to do is throw the ball, there’s more to it. You control the running game and the passing game.”
While taking over for his injured brother last season was tough, it allowed Anthony to get valuable reps and experience that’s paying off this season.
Gary, who’s playing wide receiver this season at Illinois Wesleyan, still helps his younger brother out whenever he can.
“He still gives me tips,” Anthony said. “He’s not out of my life. He’s still on my shoulder and gives me confidence. It’s my brother and I miss him, but I’m glad he’s moving on to better things in life.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
