Sports

H-F football ‘owes it to the community’ to erase last season

Homewood-Flossmoor football coach Terrell Alexander feels a responsibility to make up for last year.

The Vikings were 4-5 during 2021’s pandemic-influenced campaign. They fell short of the postseason for the first time in a decade. H-F is ready to turn the page. 

Alexander Terrell
Terrell Alexander

“It’s motivating,” Alexander, in his second year with the Vikings, said. “It’s definitely motivating. But we also know that we did things the right way. You give credit where credit is due. We played good football teams and we just didn’t play well enough. I wholeheartedly take that. It’s 100% on me.” 

The schedule doesn’t let up this season. The South West Suburban Conference slate is challenging again. Even the nonconference games won’t be easy. The Vikings open with a Naperville North team led by quarterback Aidan Gray, who’s committed to play at Northwestern. 

“I don’t want to ease into anything. It’s football,” Alexander said. “I like the fact that we’re playing a very good team week one. I think we’re a very good team.” 

The defense has been dedicated throughout the offseason, Alexander said. Senior linebacker Christian McKinney said he and a group of seniors met on their own several times this summer.

“Last year, even the COVID season, it didn’t seem like guys wanted to be at practice. This year guys seem like they really love the game,” McKinney said. “We’re playing for each other this year.” 

Another strength could be the offensive line, which is massive. Senior Christian Medlock is 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds while Luke Voorhees is a little smaller but a little taller. 

“This is a get back season for all of us. Every team that we lost to, we’re looking at them completely different now,” Medlock said. “They’re a threat. This is a get back season.” 

That seems to be the theme around the Vikings. Last year was last year. H-F looks to erase it from memory.

“From a community standpoint, (the postseason) is a minimum expectation. We have to look past that. We have to set our goals higher,” Alexander said. 

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