By Staff Writer John Conway
The NNHS Varsity Football Team visited Neuqua Valley high school to face the Wildcats last night, coming up one touchdown short, 34-27.
Naperville North was en par with Neuqua Valley the entire game, holding on to a steady lead for the majority of the second quarter. However, the Wildcats controlled the field more effectively in the second half, and thus, secured their victory over the Huskies.
“(Neuqua) was able to control the ball better in the second half of the game. I mean, they had a drive with, what, 15 plays during the third? They controlled the ball,” head football coach Sean Drendel said.
Both Neuqua and North were unable to score within the first quarter of the game, the Wildcat’s missing a 20 yard field goal halfway through. The game got interesting with a 50 yard QB sneak by NNHS senior Connor Johannes at the beginning of the second quarter. This drive eventually turned into a touchdown when senior Sharad Crosby caught the ball in the end zone with 11:17 left in the second quarter. Neuqua provided swift retribution for this touchdown when senior Mikey Dudek snatched the ball out of the air before landing in pay dirt with 9:17 left in the 2nd quarter. The teams went back and forth for the duration of the game, neither opponent letting the other get a two possession lead.
A prime example of North’s offensive mobility was in the final 15 seconds of the third quarter, when senior Anthony Rehayem received a pass for a 58 yard touchdown to match a touchdown from Neuqua not even thirty seconds prior.
Both defenses caused considerable damage last night. Both teams threw interceptions, fumbled balls, suffered loss of yards, and were unable to move the chains. The constant pressure of the defense, in the end, favored Neuqua Valley, who caused a turnover on downs within the last four minutes and scored a touchdown. When the Huskies regained possession, Neuqua senior Eli Tappin caught an interception that effectively ended the game. Despite the loss, North was able to demonstrate offensive prowess and defensive fortitude against the Wildcats.
“My boys did well tonight,” Drendel said. “they moved very well offensively, and they played good defensively. They seized a good number of opportunities, but they let a lot of them go. But that’s football.”
