Sports
Gimme 5: H-F Football's Buzea Prepared to Deliver Encore Performance
In his second season as coach of the Vikings, Craig Buzea expects more good things to come H-F's way as long as the 'O' line holds up.
Homewood-Flossmoor football coach Craig Buzea enjoyed a fairy tale-like first season as coach of the Vikings.
After taking over a team H-F that went 1-8 in 2009, Buzea led the Vikings to 10 wins and a trip to the Class 8A state semifinals in 2010.
When asked what one word described that season, he said, ”Satisfaction."
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"Given how late we came in and how we made a run in the playoffs, it was satisfying," he said.
Prior to coming to the Vikings, Buzea spent more than 20 years coaching in Indiana. After just one season in Illinois, he already sees a major difference.
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“The playoff format is different," he said. "In Indiana, everyone makes the playoffs, where as in Illinois you have to earn it. That, in turn, makes the regular season more intense in Illinois.”
The Vikings have high expectations entering Friday night's home opener vs. Chicago Senn, and they hope to carry the momentum from last season’s playoff run into this year.
One question mark will be the offensive line.
“We will be young and inexperienced at that position,” Buzea said. “I think every other position, outside of maybe running back, we will be good, if not better than we were last year. If we can block, we should be successful."
Though football takes up much of his time, Buzea still has hobbies that allow him to get away.
“I like to travel and play golf," he said.
