Some of the fondest memories growing up for Michael Terrell Jr. came from spending time in the stands watching the Homewood-Flossmoor football team.
He would watch and cheer on his cousin, Dylan Duplessis, who graduated in 2017 and was on the 2014 team that made it to the Class 8A state championship game. Duplessis was a sophomore.
“He inspired me to start playing football,” Terrell said of Duplessis. “It was my dream to come play under the Friday night lights.”
Those dreams came true the past two years for Terrell as a sophomore and junior backup running back. This year, he’s been handed the keys to the running game for H-F’s high-octane offense.
Despite the loss, Terrell busted loose for 159 yards and three touchdowns Friday night for H-F in a 62-34 setback to Sandburg in a Southwest Valley Conference crossover game in Orland Park.
Taking pressure off a high-flying passing game, Terrell has totaled 294 yards and five TDs. RJ McDonald has thrown for 652 yards and 10 TDs, with Myles Ellis contributing 15 catches for 310 yards and three TDs.
H-F (2-1) entered the game having outscored Bolingbrook and Marian Catholic by a combined score of 91-6, but things went sideways in a second quarter that saw Sandburg score 35 points.
In the third quarter, however, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Terrell was still running hard and scored a 63-yard TD. He’s strong and can run over people but also showed the speed to run past people.
“Once I get out, you’re not stopping me,” he said.
H-F coach Terrell Alexander believes this could be Terrell’s breakout year.
“He’s a senior that waited his turn,” Alexander said. “He didn’t get as many carries last year but worked hard during the offseason.
“He kept working at it and came back this year with some great performances.”
Getting stronger and leaner were the keys to Terrell’s success.
“He’s strong, and he worked on his body and slimmed down a little,” Alexander said. “He was probably 220 pounds last year and is 205-210 this season.
“He’s a great kid with great character and has done everything we’ve asked of him.”
Terrell listened to one of the things H-F’s coaching staff asked before his explosive game.
“The first two games, I was struggling a little bit,” he said. “The coaches got on me about it. They said I needed to put my shoulders down a little more. I did that and started to be more aggressive.
“That was the key.”
Terrell confirmed waiting his turn was tough, but he made it a mission during the offseason to grab the starting spot at running back.
“I just kept working until my time came,” he said. “I was constantly in my offseason days lifting every opportunity I could. I worked out during spring break. I didn’t take any time off.”
Despite limited film available from last year, Terrell said Missouri Western State, Rockford and Wisconsin-Eau Claire have shown interest. He could pick up more schools if he hits his lofty goals.
“I set a goal for myself to get 20 touchdowns,” he said. “I’m behind so I have to step it up. And I want to get 100 yards every game.”
The Vikings, meanwhile, want to erase the memories of the loss to Sandburg. They finally get to play their first home game of the season at 7 p.m. Friday vs. Neuqua Valley (0-3) in Flossmoor.
“We’ll be fine,” Terrell said. “We have a lot of leaders. Everyone has matured since last year. The offensive line got better. The quarterback is better. Our receivers are great.
“I love it. They play so loose and they make some wild plays.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
