On Friday, September 26th, Naperville North’s varsity football team lost to Lockport on homecoming night.
The Huskies (2-2) lost to the Porters (2-3) with a score of 17-20.
The first half was an intense defensive battle. The Huskies opened strong with a forty-nine-yard pass to Junior wide receiver C.J. Geist (80). After being met with a fierce Porter defense, and a blocked field goal attempt, the game remained scoreless into the second quarter. Despite relentless rushing from Senior running back William Eloe (17), the Huskies were unable to capitalize in the red zone.
Throughout the second quarter, the Huskie defense remained consistent and hardworking. Key defensive plays from Junior linebacker John Lyons (55) and Senior defensive end Gabe Hill helped stall the Porter’s drives. Gabe Hill made an incredible pass deflection, putting the entire Huskie crowd onto their feet. After the Huskies lost possession, Junior running back Brady Marino (34) recovered a Huskie punt at the 38-yard line, setting up a field goal that put North on the board, 3-0, at 11:58 in the second quarter. The Porters responded with a series of impressive passes, allowing them to secure their first touchdown. Which made the score to 3-6 after a missed extra point to end the half. Gabe Hill reflects on the incredible block he made in the first half.
“It was definitely like a momentum switcher so we could get back in the game,” Hill said.
Senior defensive end Will Wagner (90) forced a turnover with a strip-sack early in the third quarter, setting the Huskies up for a strong drive, resulting in an Eloe touchdown. Leo Taylor sank the extra point to put the Huskies ahead 10-6 with 5:47 left in the third quarter. The Porters responded with a possession that carried into the fourth quarter, eventually allowing for a rushing touchdown to reclaim the lead 10-13 after a successful extra point.
The Huskies immediately answered with a deep pass to Junior wide receiver Jack Zitko (12), who later secured a touchdown with 6:03 remaining in the game. Taylor made the extra point to put the Huskies back in the driver’s seat at 17-13. But just minutes later, the Porters silenced the Huskie crowd with a 60-yard touchdown pass to again recapture the lead at 17-20 with 5:16 left in the game. The Huskies struggled to make an effort downfield, and with one second left on the clock, Taylor’s deep field goal attempt was short by inches. Zitko describes how his incredible reception came to be.
“Coaches drew up a great play… great throw by [Nothacker], gave me a chance to get it and make a great play,” Zitko said.
Although the Huskies fell short on homecoming night, the team is already focused on the horizon, ready to take on their next opponent, Sandburg. Eloe emphasizes the importance of moving forward and focusing on their next game.
“When we take it to Sandburg, that’s the biggest game of the year, we need that win, we gotta go out there and fight. This loss had some really good positives and that’ll help us grow as a team so we can get after Sandburg and get the win,” Eloe said.
Next week, the Huskies will play home against Carl Sandburg High School on Friday, October 3rd. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
