The Vikings faced a far less challenging test in Week 3 after knocking off the defending 8A state champion Stevenson Patriots in Week 2. The Vikings continued their offensive assault by racking up 55 points before halftime against Stagg on their way to a third straight victory as conference play began.
Here's how the rest of the Vikings' upcoming opponents fared in Week 2:
Week 1: @ Downers Grove South (W, 56-15)
Quarterback Bryce Gray opens the year with an ultra-efficient evening, completing 8 of 9 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns. The Vikings score five touchdowns on their first 11 plays from scrimmage and never look back. The Harley-Hampton twins record five touchdowns, Kendric Pryor catches four passes for 152 yards and two scores and defensive end Tyler Newkirk records a team-high 13 tackles.
Week 2: @ No. 5 Stevenson (W, 43-29)
Deante Harley-Hampton exacts his revenge on the Patriots from last year's state title game, rushing for 212 yards on 20 carries and four rushing touchdowns, including the final score with 1:15 to play. Devonte Harley-Hampton added 237 yards and two scores from scrimmage. Kendric Pryor, who committed to Wisconsin two days earlier, recorded an interception and caught four passes for 109 yards in the win.
Week 3: @ Stagg (W, 67-6)
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Devonte Harley-Hampton jumps on the Chargers early, scoring from 73 yards on the game's first play to set the tone in a rout. He scores twice more in the win, with his brother, Deante, adding a trio of scores. Quarterback Bryce Gray throws as many touchdowns (three) as incompletions, including the first of the year for Tryice Richie. The win gives the Vikings a 1-0 start in conference play.
Week 4: vs. Joliet Central (0-3; Week 3: 41-0 loss vs. Lockport)
The Steelmen have now lost 48 straight games heading into a Week 4 matchup against the state's top-ranked team in Homewood-Flossmoor.
Week 5: @ Lockport (1-2; Week 3: 41-0 win at Joliet)
Matt Skobel runs for three scores in the first half to pace the Porters to their first win of the season.
Week 6: @ Joliet West (2-1; Week 3: 35-12 loss at Lincoln-Way East)
Alex Tibble throws for 194 yards, including 138 of them to Xavier Smith, but can't recover from a 21-point halftime deficit.
Week 7: vs. No. 14 Lincoln-Way East (2-1; Week 3: 35-12 win vs. Joliet West)
A pair of touchdowns in the opening quarter pace Brandon Bauer and the Griffins to an easy win.
Week 8: @ Sandburg (2-1; Week 3: 38-20 win vs. Bolingbrook)
Alec Fidan throws for 285 yards and three scores, with Zach Razik (10/167/1) the main recipient in an impressive win for the Eagles.
Week 9: vs. Bolingbrook (1-2; Week 3: 38-20 loss at Sandburg)
The Raiders get 208 total yards from quarterback Mike Freeze but can't overcome a first-half deficit to begin conference play with a loss.