VIDEO: Giants Stumble in Season Opener

See video above for a recap of  vs. Elk Grove last Friday, as well as the rest of the Central Suburban League North.

The Deerfield football team entered the season with hopes of much more balanced offensive attack than in years past.  However, a hand injury to starting quarterback  left the Warriors with a one dimensional offense in their season opening 27-13 loss to Zion-Benton.

"Life happens sometimes and those were the cards we were dealt this week," Deerfield Head Coach Steve Winiecki said of the injury to Holway. "Matt (Kollada) and Marc Pagano came in and got after it.  I don't question our kids effort. We just have to play better football."

With Holway on the sidelines, Deerfield rotated quarterbacks, switching between junior Matthew Kollada and senior Marc Pagano.  With neither player having any experience at quarterback on the varsity level, the Warriors kept the ball on the ground most of the night. Pagano was able to pick up 54 yards on 14 carries and also scored both Deerfield touchdowns.

"It just made it tough having to switch things up," Pagano said of taking over at quarterback. "It's not what we wanted and that's not how we wanted to start the season."

Jeremy Kritt led Deerfield offensively with 59 yards on 13 carries, as the offense struggled to find its rhythm.  On the other side, Zion-Benton was led by Alex Pasiewicz, who had 224 yards on 30 carries and also scored three of the Zee-Bee's four touchdowns.

Deerfield will look to bounce back next week as they travel to Homewood-Flossmoor.