Football Friday Week 4
Can you believe it? We’re already one week away from the halfway point of the high school football season. Week four brings the start of conference play for both the DVC and the new look CCL/ESCC combined conference.
We begin with a pair of teams back from long road trips, Waubonsie Valley sitting at 2-1 enjoying a much shorter commute to Naperville North after visiting Kentucky last week. The Huskies back home after falling to 0-3 in Ohio.
In the first quarter it was the Matthew Maschmeier show as the senior not only took a punt return back for a touchdown, but connected on an 80 yard TD pass from Anthony Gabrione. Huskies lead 14-13 after one.
Waubonsie Valley had a big time connection between quarterback Ethan Nelson and junior receiver Sean Clinton, the duo hooked up for three touchdowns on the night as the Warriors built a 28-17 lead in the 4th quarter.
But Maschmeier again makes his presence felt, this time on defense has he brings this interception back over 90 yards for this third TD of the night.
North down 28-25 when Anthony Gabrione connects with Stephan Williams in the corner of the end zone for the go ahead touchdown with under a minute to play
The Warriors not giving up, some razzle-dazzle puts WV in business with 6 seconds to play as they get inside the Naperville North 10 yard line! But the field goal attempt to tie the game is just a hair wide to the left as Naperville North completes the comeback to get into the win column for the first time this season.
Another DVC matchups finds Metea Valley, fresh off a big road win at Belleville East, travelling to Naperville Central. The high-powered Redhawks still looking for victory number one this year.
Redhawks rolling from the start as Sam Jackson with one of his three rushing touchdowns on the night, four in total in the game for the junior as he shows off his speed. 35-0 Central at the break.
The Mustangs get some offense going in the 2nd half with a TD pass from Logan Frederick to CJ Wilcox. Wilcox with a touchdown in all four games this season.
But too much Central as Jadon Thompson shows off his electric athleticism, taking this punt down the far sidelines 78 yards for the touchdown. Naperville Central improves to 1-3 just in time for next week’s Crosstown Classic.
Wrapping up the DVC as we move to Neuqua Valley. The Wildcats look to build on a great offensive performance last week against East St. Louis as former Upstate 8 rival slash new Dupage Valley Conference rival Dekalb comes to south Naperville.
We jump to the 2nd quarter, Dekalb up 16-14 late in the first half and look at this trick play, a double pass from Alex Siebens to Donovan Lacey as the Barbs look sharp on a 16-0 run to take a 23-14 lead.
The ensuing kickoff is taken by Garrett Stare and he completely swings the momentum back to the Wildcats, 85 yards for the touchdown. NV in another wild one down 23-21 at the half.
Neuqua trailing 30-21 in the 4th when Mark Gronowski finds Patrick Hoffman for the touchdown. The Wildcats would take a 34-30 lead a few minutes later on a one yard run from Gronowski.
Last chance for Dekalb, under 2 minutes left on 4th and 19, and Trey Borske gets back to back sacks to clinch the game for Neuqua. NV improves to 3-1 with a big matchup against Waubonsie on the horizon.
The first ever CCL/ESCC Orange division matchup finds Benet Academy traveling to downtown Chicago to face the Meteors of De La Salle.
The Redwings in control of this one most of the game, Colin Gillespie making things happen through the air and on the ground as usual. Here he connects with promising freshman wide receiver Pierce Walsh on the quick slant that Walsh takes to the house. Benet off to a red hot start to the season after a 35-7 win over De La Salle.
BA remains atop the CCL ESCC Orange division as the lone unbeaten team. Although Nazareth is right on their heels after a big win over St. Laurence.
The Week 5 schedule finds Benet hosting a familiar face in Marian Catholic, the Redwings will take on the Spartans for a Saturday afternoon matinee.
The DVC bunches up a little bit more in the middle while Neuqua Valley moves to the top spot alone at 3-1. North and Central both keep their playoff hopes alive with a win, while Waubonise Valley and Dekalb fall for the 2nd week in a row.
Rivalry week takes the stage for the DVC in Week 5. Waubonsie Valley hosts Neuqua Valley for a key midseason clash while Naperville North and Naperville Central play the annual Wes Spencer Crosstown Classic at North Central College. Metea Valley hosts Dekalb for the 2nd straight season but for the first time as conference rivals. It should be another great week of action; we’ll see you then! For Football Friday, I’m Justin Cornwell.
