Sharp has knack for the dramatic
Senior’s big- play ability shows up in the clutch for H- F
Jared Sharp and his Homewood-Flossmoor teammates heard what detractors were saying about them.
“That H- F can’t finish and can’t win the big game,” Sharp said. “We wanted to prove a lot of people wrong.”
Which is precisely what the Vikings did Friday in a crucial South-West Suburban Blue game against Bolingbrook.
And Sharp deserves a lot of credit for helping Homewood-Flossmoor ( 5- 2) silence its critics.
With the Raiders focusing much of their attention on stopping receiver Kendric Pryor, Sharp stepped up during two of the most crucial moments of the game.
Sharp provided an 80- yard touchdown catch that gave the Vikings a 28- 21 lead with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.
When Bolingbrook eventually tied the game at 28, Sharp stepped up again, hauling in a 39- yard TD pass from quarterback Bryce Gray that gave H- F a 35- 28 victory.
“With the amount of playmakers we have, we’re always just one play away from making the big play,” Sharp said.
“Teams can’t focus on stopping just one or two players.”
The numbers support Sharp’s theory: The Vikings boast two running backs — twins Deante and Devonte Harley- Hampton — with at least 500 yards rushing and five different players with at least 100 receiving yards.
All that firepower has resulted in Homewood- Flossmoor scoring 305 points — highest among South-West Suburban Blue competition.
Sharp, a senior, leads the Vikings in receiving yards, recording 428 on 22 catches and three touchdowns.
None were bigger than his two scores against Bolingbrook.
“With the way their ( Bolingbrook) defense was set up on the first touchdown, the play was called for me to make a play,” Sharp said. “On the second touchdown, they put in a new cornerback and it gave me another chance to make a play.”
Sharp’s ability to make plays isn’t his only attribute, according to Homewood- Flossmoor coach Craig Buzea.
“Jared knows the game,” Buzea said. “He runs very good routes and is an extremely hard worker. He’s a high- character kid. For some reason, teams don’t respect his speed. But he can go and he showed that on Friday.”
Growing up, Sharp didn’t boast big- time speed. In fact, he played on the offensive and defensive lines for his youth football team.
“I was bigger than everybody else,” said Sharp, who’s 5- 9, 150 pounds. “I was 5- 8 in eighth grade. Everyone thought I was going to be 6- 4. I wear size 14 shoes. But once I stopped growing, I was moved to skill positions.”
Once the football season ends, Sharp will trade his cleats for running shoes as a member of the track team. He’ll compete in the 100- and 200- yard dash, which allows him to flaunt his speed.
First things first, however. Sharp and his teammates are focused on finishing the season strong. Tabbed the Chicago Sun- Times preseason No. 4, the Vikings have every intention of living up to that honor with a Class 8A state championship.
“That’s always been the goal,” Sharp said. “As the season goes along, we’re trying to enjoy each moment. As a team, we feel great. We’re going to give it our all.”