The Fidone fireworks were in full effect under the lights on Friday night in Council Bluffs. The Huskers’ 4-star (HV Rating: 93.5) tight end commit had a big night to help his Lewis Central Titans take a victory over Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 49-28. Getting a win over a top five ranked team in Iowa to move to 2-0 thrilled Fidone after the game.
“It felt great,” Fidone said. “Coming together as a team like we did, I felt a chemistry come together that we didn’t have before. We’re a really young team, so a lot of us upperclassmen don’t really have that chemistry formed with the underclassmen which the majority of our team is. Tonight, I think we definitely came together and we shocked the state.”
The future Husker certainly did his part to help the team to the victory. Unofficially, he racked up seven receptions for 236 yards and a pair of touchdowns. When the Titans targeted him, he made big plays all night long.
#Huskers 4-star TE commit @ThomasFidone hauls has in a 20 yard TD catch on a slant route. He’s up to 5 catches for 144 yards and a score. @lc_ftbll leads 28-7. pic.twitter.com/vFDI4Yyl4l
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithHV) September 5, 2020
After just two targets in Week 1, it was a clear strategy to get Fidone going early. From the very first play on offense for Lewis Central, Fidone was involved in the game plan. He caught a pass down the sideline for 39 yards on that first play.
“I was excited,” Fidone said. “On the first play on offense I could tell what the coverages were. They weren’t bracketing me or double coverage until the second half. We showed what we can do when there’s not triple coverage or double coverage and we let the ball fly.”
The big victory was a confidence booster for the Titans. They are hoping to load up for a state title run after losing in the semifinals last season. They came into this game knowing that it would be a big test. This win can only help the young but talented team the rest of the way this season.
MORE: Photos from Lewis Central-SBL
>> The tone was set for the game when sophomore Jonathan Humpal returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Humpal has a lot of potential. He could be another big-time player down the road for Lewis Central. He plays both defensive back and some running back in addition to special teams. Several people in and around the program made a point to let me know to look out for him.
>> I was impressed with junior linebacker/tight end Wyatt Hatcher for Lewis Central. He’s got great size (6-4, 205) and runs well for his size. Hatcher has an older brother who plays at Kansas right now. If there was a play to be made on defense he seemed to always be around the football. He also had a nifty touchdown catch during the game too.
18-yard TD catch for Wyatt Hatcher of @LC_ftbll. Good PAT and they lead 21-7 with 11:50 left in the 2Q. pic.twitter.com/dILgbLXK7I
— Greg Smith (@GregSmithHV) September 5, 2020
>> Get to know the name Hunter Deyo. The 2022 lineman (6-3, 270) starts on the defensive line and at left tackle for Lewis Central. Yet, his future in college is along the defensive line. He holds early offers from Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas State. Deyo played in the backfield all night for the Titans. He is a Power 5 level talent but questions on his fit inside a 3-4 defense remain. He’s a good football player that could have a nice college career.
>> There will be a lot of chatter about the contribution that Thomas Fidone made to the team with his pass catching abilities. That merits the attention it receives but something else stood out to me about Fidone. He enjoys contact and blocking defenders. Check out this block I captured. The All-America Bowl used to highlight how to play through the whistle.
Play Until the Whistle
2021 All-American Thomas Fidone (@ThomasFidone) showing off his blocking skills.#AAB21 🇺🇸#GBR 🌽 #AllAmericanBowl 🏈 @GEICO
— All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) September 5, 2020
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
