Senior connection delivers Giants a huge Week 7 victory
Yards were hard to come by Friday evening but the Highland Park Giants found them when it mattered most.
Senior David Finfer found senior Johnny Walker for an 18-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. The duo’s second touchdown connection of the day lifted Highland Park past visiting Niles West, 21-17, on Oct. 6 at Wolters Field in Highland Park.
GIANTS WIN!!!
HP 21, Niles West 17
3 David Finfer TD passes (Walker x2, Moore 1). Timely defensive plays including game-saving sack.
Improve to 4-3, 2-1 in CSL North. #GiantPride pic.twitter.com/VyaThuL1o7
— Highland Park Football (@HighlandPark_FB) October 7, 2023
The victory has major implications for the Giants’ playoff hunt, pushing them above .500 at 4-3 with two games left to play and one win needed to become playoff eligible. Highland Park will head on the road to take on Central Suburban North foes Maine East (1-6) and Vernon Hills (2-5) to finish the season. The last time the Giants posted at least five wins was 2017. Since, they have four straight four-win campaigns (abbreviated season in 2020-’21).
On Friday night, Highland Park grabbed a 14-0 lead in the second quarter thanks to two Finfer touchdown passes: a 7-yard strike to Eli Moore and a 44-yard connection with Walker.
The Wolves cut into the lead before halftime and then scored 10 straight points in the third quarter to take a 17-14 advantage headed into the final stanza.
Halfway through, Finfer hit Walker again, this time for 18 yards and a go-ahead score. Highland Park’s defense held the rest of the way to finish off the 21-17 triumph.
Walker caught six passes for 124 yards and the two scores, while Finfer had 198 yards passes and the three touchdown throws. He added 22 yard rushing.
Tyler Gleyzer finished with 10 tackles, while Alex Knight had 7 and Sebastian Vybral six.
The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.
Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.
Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.
Joe Coughlin
Joe Coughlin is a co-founder and the editor in chief of The Record. He leads investigative reporting and reports on anything else needed. Joe has been recognized for his investigative reporting and sports reporting, feature writing and photojournalism. Follow Joe on Twitter @joec2319
The Record is a nonprofit, community news site from former editors of 22nd Century Media
Our daily coverage of your government, schools, businesses and neighbors is not possible without your support.
Latest
The Record: Shortcut
Related Stories
