Fall weather has arrived in full force in week 7 of Football Friday and the high school football season. Three games on Friday with huge playoff implications; so let’s get right to the action.
Naperville Central vs Waubonsie Valley
Waubonsie Valley at home hosting Naperville Central. Both teams sitting at 2-4 on the season and both teams needing to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Just before halftime, Redhawks up 7-0 after a Bo Turner TD catch, Sam Jackson rolls to his right, buys a little time until Jadon Thompson flashes open. The throw is online as Central takes a 14-0 lead into halftime.
Early in the third, Ethan Nelson goes back to pass, but he’s picked by Jake Lynch, who goes the other way for the pick six. Suddenly the Redhawks hold a 21-0 lead.
Waubonsie Valley responds as Nelson drives his team down the field and takes it himself from 8 yards out. WV down just 21-7.
But in the 4th quarter, Naperville Central turns to Trevor Simpson who takes it into the end zone for his first touchdown of the season. Redhawks improve to 3-4 after a 28-14 win over Waubonsie as three second half turnovers doom the Warriors.
Neuqua Valley vs Metea Valley
Neuqua Valley on the road at Metea Valley as the Wildcats look to tighten their grip on the Dupage Valley Conference standings, while the Mustangs try to play spoiler in search of the first ever win over Neuqua Valley.
A monster night for Neuqua Valley running back Armani Moreno, the junior racks up three touchdowns in the first half and 162 yards to build an early lead for the Wildcats.
Metea Valley doing what they’ve done all year, get the ball to CJ Wilcox. The shifty senior does the rest with another long touchdown, he has been electric all season. Game tied at 6 apiece after that score.
In the 2nd half, Mark Gronowski gets a breather as Wildcats backup QB Colin Blazek connects with Garrett Stare for the touchdown to push the Neuqua lead to 43-13. Mustangs get a pair of touchdowns from CJ Wilcox and Will Hopkins but Neuqua takes this one 43-21.
Naperville North vs Dekalb
Naperville North also clinging to its playoff life at 2-4 on the road at Dekalb. The Barbs can earn playoff eligibility with a win over the Huskies.
North gets on the board first, turning a 4th and 5 from the 19 into a touchdown from Anthony Gabrione to Damian Welch. 7-0 Huskies early.
Dekalb gets rolling offensively from there Trenton Kyler connecting with Alex Siebens on a couple deep balls, along Trenton McCollum to get a pair of first half touchdowns. 35-13 Barbs at halftime.
Early in the 2nd half, Dekalb is able to put the game away with a dump off pass from Kyler to Trenton McCollum, he goes all the way. Dekalb is playoff bound, while Naperville North is all but eliminated after falling 49-19.
Let’s take a look at the DVC standings, Neuqua Valley in first place, holding off Dekalb thanks to the win over the Barbs back in Week 4. Naperville Central still alive at 3-4, while Naperville North and Waubonsie Valley are tied at 2-5.
Looking at the schedule for next week, Naperville North hosts Neuqua Valley, Naperville Central returns home for a must win matchup against Dekalb while Waubonsie Valley hosts Metea Valley in the annual Eola Bowl.
The ESCC Standings are incomplete since Benet Academy plays tomorrow on the road against Loyola, so we will jump to the schedule instead. More road games for the CCL/ESCC Orange Division, the Redwings will be at St. Rita, De La Salle is at Montini, St. Laurence heads to Providence Catholic while Nazareth travels to Notre Dame. Only two weeks remain in the regular season, we’ll see you next time. For Football Friday, I’m Justin Cornwell.
You can find the updated schedules and standings for IHSA Football.
