Five giveaways, three turnovers on downs and the same number of penalties as pass completions is never an equation for success.

Hinsdale South found that out the hard way on Friday night as a handful of mistakes led to a 7-3 loss to Proviso West in Darien.

“The effort was good tonight,” said Hinsdale South head coach Alex Bitto. “But when you turn over the ball that much, it is tough to win.”

The visitors struck for a touchdown on their first offensive play as Theodis Sloan found Stephen Lockhart for a 75-yard score just 17 seconds into the contest. From there, the Hornets defense would hold the Panthers (2-0) off the scoreboard, allowing the offense ample time to come back.

The Hornets (0-2) had a chance to knot up the score at the end of the first half, but a fumble near the goal line on a short running play ended the threat with three seconds remaining.

The home team would finally crack the scoreboard with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter when Karl Ploger made a 38-yard field goal.

Hinsdale South had three offensive possessions the rest of the way, each of which ended with a turnover. On one of those occasions, the Hornets drove deep into Proviso West territory only to see the Panthers recover a fumble on their own 15-yard line.

“We rushed the heck out of the ball tonight,” Bitto said. “But we fumbled on the goal line before half and then fumbled going in midway through the fourth. We have to execute and get first downs. We did that most of the night but you can’t have those turnovers.”

Frank Jones played a solid game on both sides of the ball in the defeat, tallying three sacks while picking up 38 rushing yards on nine carries, each of which came in the second half.