On Friday, September 12th, Naperville North’s varsity football team beat the Metea Valley Mustangs in their first conference matchup.
The Huskies (1-1) defeated the Mustangs (2-0) with a final score of 35-14.
The Huskies started off the game incredibly strong with their defense shutting down the Mustangs, allowing Naperville North to gain possession. The Huskies pushed the Mustangs back into their own endzone. Senior William Eloe (17) secured the first Huskie touchdown within the first 3 minutes of the game. Then, senior kicker Leo Taylor (27) completed the extra point to solidify their 7-0 lead. Immediately after the Mustangs recovered the ball, senior Drew Murphy (40) intercepted a short pass, allowing Eloe to score yet another rushing touchdown just 19 seconds after his first goal. Taylor sank another extra point, putting the Huskies ahead 14-0 with just under nine minutes left in the quarter. After the Mustangs recovered the ball, the Huskie defense held them down, forcing a punt that North recovered at 33 yards from the goal. Rushing efforts from junior running back Mason Hill (26) and Eloe closed down the space within minutes, running the ball in for his third touchdown of the night to close out the half. The Mustangs came out strong during the second quarter but were no match for the Huskie defense. Senior Gabe Hill (8) put a stop to the Mustang’s push at the one-yard line, keeping the Huskies ahead by two touchdowns. Mason Hill closed out the half with a fourth rushing touchdown. Taylor’s extra point put the Huskies ahead by 28 at the end of the first half. Murphy detailed what it meant for him to get that interception for his team.
“I gotta thank the secondaries, it’s not only the linebackers making plays, it’s everyone on the defense” Murphy said.
To start off the third quarter, after some remarkable Mustang plays and strong Huskie defense, the Mustang’s quarterback finally broke through on a sneak, scoring with five minutes left in the period. That touchdown cut the Huskie lead to 28-7 at the end of the quarter. Amazing defense by Gabe Hill pushed the Mustangs to a turnover and set the offense up for a fifth and final touchdown. Senior Quarterback, Josiah Nothacker (7) weaseled the ball through Mustang defense to get into the endzone. After an incredible Mustang kick return, Gabe Hill intercepted a short pass, sealing the Huskie win. He explained the difficulties in predicting and anticipating plays from the offense.
“They’re going to show you one thing and then they’re going to do the other. So, it’s just staying disciplined,” Hill said.
The Huskies’ roster age gap appeared to shine through at the beginning of the season, now those young players are settling in very well. Head Coach Sean Drendel described the team’s ever-growing connection.
“We’re really young there and they’re starting to mold together and play well,” Drendel said.
Next week, the Huskies will play away at Homewood-Flossmoor High School on Friday, September 19th. Last year, the Huskies narrowly beat the Vikings in a thrilling double overtime. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
