Where is AJ Henning? That’s the new game top-ranked Lincoln-Way East’s fans and opponents are playing. Is the Michigan recruit lined up at running back, receiver or quarterback?
Griffins coach Rob Zvonar calls Henning a ‘‘once-in-a-lifetime kid.’’
‘‘[Henning] is one step ahead of everyone else,’’ teammate Sean McLaughlin said. ‘‘That is just how it is.’’
Henning was primarily a running back and receiver the last two seasons. He led Lincoln-Way East to the state championship as a sophomore, but his senior season might turn out to be even more special.
Kyle Quinn, the Griffins’ starting quarterback, was hurt against Bolingbrook in Week 4. Ty Slager has filled in admirably, but it has also meant more time behind center for Henning.
Zvonar has Henning running out the Wildcat formation but also playing traditional quarterback. All he has done so far is hand off, but Henning wants more.
‘‘Oh, yeah, I’m ready to throw the ball whenever Coach gives me the green light,’’ Henning said.
That wasn’t necessary in Lincoln-Way East’s 28-14 victory Saturday against No. 6 Homewood-Flossmoor in Frankfort. Henning was spectacular, and the Griffins’ offensive line dominated the second half.
‘‘This week in practice, [the offensive line] showed great strides, really made improvements,’’ Henning said. ‘‘They worked their tails off all week.’’
Offensive linemen Ryan Stewart, Alex Knaperek, Christian Schletz, Martin Hoban and Kevin Kuchta are the foundation that helped Lincoln-Way East account for 270 yards rushing.
Henning had 18 carries for 148 yards, including touchdowns of 60, six and four yards. Senior Devon Williams added 70 yards on 11 carries and junior Jamal Johnson 55 yards on 13 carries.
Henning ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, then had a 72-yard punt return five minutes later that set up his six-yard touchdown run.
The biggest blow came with Slager at quarterback. He connected with Mason Pierre-Antoine on a 43-yard touchdown pass 16 seconds before halftime to put the Griffins (5-0, 2-0 Southwest Suburban Blue) ahead 21-14.
Wow. Direct snap to AJ Henning and he is gone. 60-yard TD run, no one touched him.
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) September 28, 2019
Lincoln-Way East 7, Homewood-Flossmoor 6, 2Q. pic.twitter.com/6w2evnh2tF
‘‘We had the momentum going into the half, but we still didn’t feel real good,’’ Zvonar said. ‘‘The second half was as good of a 24 minutes as we’ve had in a while here. The offense controlled the ball.’’
Henning played quarterback on a drive early in the fourth quarter that sealed the victory. Johnson picked up a few crucial third downs, and Henning capped the drive with a four-yard touchdown run.
‘‘Take that play at the end of the half away, and it is an even game,’’ H-F coach Craig Buzea said. ‘‘They can chew up the clock. They have one of the best kids in America behind center. But if we don’t give up big plays, we are right there.’’
AJ Henning is something. 72-yard punt return. Didn’t score but has Lincoln-Way East threatening. pic.twitter.com/CMZb3FRjUw
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) September 28, 2019
Sean Allen had 23 carries for 137 yards for the Vikings (4-1, 1-1), including a 56-yard touchdown run that tied the score at 14 with 4:14 left in the second quarter.
‘‘We knew they would give us a good punch; they always do,’’ McLaughlin said. ‘‘But they couldn’t hang with us. No disrespect to them, but we put in way too much work in the offseason for them to hang with us for all 48 minutes.’’
