Giants’ comeback falls short in Highland Park

Facing two double-digit deficits Friday night on Wolters Field, Highland Park football never caved to visiting Schaumburg.

But the Giants’ efforts came up two points short in a 26-24 defeat, the host team’s first loss of the season.

Down 26-10, Highland Park scored twice in the third quarter of Friday’s contest to trim the deficit, but within two, 26-24, is as close as the Giants got.

The Giants star wideout Lucas Gordon led the way with 10 catches for 169 yards, a performance that included a 72-yard touchdown reception. Also a safety, Gordon had two interceptions as well.

Junior running back Jayden Corchado finished with 103 total yards (73 rushing, 30 receiving) and a touchdown, while junior quarterback Gustav Crane passed for 179 yards and a touchdown.

Giants defense lineman Jacob Youra had three tackles for loss and two pass blows, and linebacker Gabe Leon racked up 10 tackles.

The Giants struck first with Max Dubin’s first-quarter field goal, but the Saxons scored 17 unanswered points to take a two-score lead early in the second quarter.

Corchado’s 11-yard touchdown run trimmed that lead to 17-10 before halftime.

The Saxons added a safety and a touchdown early in the third quarter to take a 26-10 advantage that proved a bit too much for the hosts.

Crane found Gordon for 72 yards in the third and Crane added an 11-yard scoring scamper, also in the third, but nothing was doing in the final quarter for either team.

At 2-1, Highland Park travels to Conant (1-2), which is coming off a 21-0 victory against Vernon Hills.

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