Naperville North football scored 111 points last year. Through their first four games this year, the Huskies have 144 points. That’s right, in four weeks, the Huskies have scored 33 more points than the entire 2015 campaign.

After consecutive 2-7 seasons, the Naperville North football team needed something to jumpstart their offense. One solution to their offensive woes was the addition of offensive coordinator Mike Fitzgerald from St. Francis High School. Fitzgerald spent the last two years as the head coach at St. Francis, going 15-7. Before that, he spent six years as the offensive coordinator at Marist High School.

“What really helped me [at St. Francis] was being in a position of leadership. Now that I’m an assistant again, it really helps me understand how much I have to do to support the head coach and the program,” Fitzgerald said.

Fitzgerald deflected credit multiple times from himself onto the players and coaches. He also discussed implementing a spread offense.

“I think it’s a little more than just the spread offense. The thing that makes it work just like in any offense is the personnel you have and the coaches supporting it,” Fitzgerald said. “We got great personnel and a lot of skill players.”

The spread offense has benefitted an experienced North football team. Many seniors on the team got playing time as the Huskies only had 26 seniors in 2015. Quarterback Luke Cegles is among the many starters from last year to improve under a new system this season.

Senior backup quarterback and field goal holder Dylan Fadden attested to Cegles improvement this year.

“Being his backup, it’s awesome to see him do so well,” said Fadden. “He has a cannon arm and can launch the ball 60 yards. I know he’s played at a high level every single game so far.”

Fadden had a lot of playing time in the first two games of the 2015 season but split time with Cegles the rest of the year due to injuries. Cegles had a rough year throwing for three touchdowns and eight interceptions, but nevertheless won the job. This year he has turned a page, throwing for 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions through four games.

With the experience of Cegles, Eric Wright and Matt Montgomery to name a few, the Huskies have rebooted their offensive approach.

All the attention on the offense has taken the spotlight off a defense that has played well in its own right. On the defensive line, senior defensive ends Alex Iaccino and Malik Wells lead the way with 2.50 sacks each. Behind them, seniors Kiser Floyd and Derek Amend head the linebacking corps and lead the team with 26 and 21 tackles respectively. Grant Ericksen and Cam Hardy command the secondary, with Ericksen leading the team with two interceptions and Hardy leading the team with seven pass breakups.

The Huskies (4-0, 3-0)  look to continue their winning ways at home against Glenbard North (3-1, 2-1) on Friday. The game starts at 7:30 and also can be seen live on the High School Cube.

Key offensive stats through four games:

QB Luke Cegles 58-105 689 yds 10 TDs 3 Ints

RB Eric Wright 91 carries 521 yards 5 TDs

RB Cross Robinson 36 carries 280 yards 1 TD

WR Nick Calcagno 16 receptions 242 yards 4 TDs

WR Mitch Lewis 6 receptions 96 yards 4 TDs

(All stats courtesy of NN Athletics Department)