Football Friday 2019 Week 8
We are nearing the finish line of the high school football regular season, two games left to clinch a playoff spot, boost a resume or end the season on a high note as we enter Football Friday 2019 Week 8!
Dekalb at Naperville Central
We begin with the lone contest with playoff implications as Naperville Central hosts the Barbs of Dekalb. The Redhawks kept their season alive with a win over Waubonsie, but must win out to make the playoffs.
Redhawks wide receiver Keon Green gets his team started off on the right foot, taking the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.
Central QB Sam Jackson locked in all night long, he connects with Green for this touchdown to put his team up 28-16 at the half. Four TD passes for Jackson to go with 287 yards. 3 total TD’s for Green.
After Shane Roth took a 90 yard interception return back for a touchdown, Jadon Thompson says that looks like fun. The U of I commit takes a pick six 100 yards to paydirt, he also added a receiving touchdown. Naperville Central with a huge win to improve to 4-4 with a week to go.
Metea Valley at Waubonsie Valley
The Eola Bowl between Metea Valley and Waubonsie got its official title and trophy back in 2015, which remains the only victory for the Mustangs in the rivalry. WV hopes to end a five game losing streak.
MV trailing 14-7 in the 2nd quarter when CJ Wilcox continues his fantastic season with his 2nd touchdown of the game, we’re all knotted up at 14.
Next possession for the Warriors, Ethan Nelson drops a well placed pass into the arms of Elijah Lee, who races home for the go ahead touchdown. 21-14 Waubonsie leads.
4th quarter and Metea not ready to go away, CJ Wilcox with his fourth touchdown of the game, the Mustangs back within 11.
But Bryce Logan with his breakout game of 2019, scoring three touchdowns on the night, he breaks this one from over 40 yards out. Waubonsie Valley back in the win column with an entertaining 49-38 win over their Eola Road Rival.
Neuqua Valley at Naperville North
Neuqua Valley in the middle of three straight road games to end the season, the Wildcats can clinch a share of the conference title with a victory at Naperville North.
With the Huskies trailing 7-0 in the first, a great play call finds two North receivers open behind the Neuqua defense, Anthony Gabrione finds Damian Welch for the touchdown, all tied at 7.
Neuqua with a 14-7 lead in the 2nd, Matt Maschmeier running the wildcat and this kid does not go down easily, he continues to push the pile before spinning into the endzone, the game is tied once again at 14.
In the 2nd half, the Wildcat offense takes over, Mark Gronowski fakes the handoff and glides through the defense 18 yards to the end zone. Neuqua takes a 31-14 lead.
Armani Moreno puts the ball game away from three yards out, his third TD of the game. Neuqua Valley improves to 8-1 with the win and clinches the DVC title.
Benet at St Rita
Benet Academy on the road at St. Rita as the Redwings look to shake off their first loss of the season after falling to Loyola on Saturday.
Redwings down 10-0 and down a QB after a Colin Gillespie injury, but on just his 2nd play, Michael O’Connor finds Lucas Kosiba for a 33 yard touchdown. Redwings trail 10-6 after a missed PAT.
Later in the half, some trickery for Benet Nick Bafia takes the handoff and unleashes a 55 yard bomb to Jonathan Martin. BA takes a 13-10 lead at halftime.
But in the second half, St. Rita sophomore Kaleb Brown took over the game, scoring three second half touchdowns to go with 194 total yards. The Mustangs go on to win 37-16 as the Redwings fall to 6-2.
Let’s move to the Week 8 standings and you may notice that Nazareth is now undefeated on the season after defeating Notre Dame tonight. The Roadrunners were actually awarded a win over Cardinal Ritter from back in Week 2 when Cardinal Ritter was discovered to have used an ineligible player. It’s a wild story, no time to get into it now, I suggest you look it up.
Next week Benet wraps up the year with another tough battle, hosting Nazareth, while St. Laurence heads to De La Salle to end the regular season.
The DVC Standings has Neuqua Valley on top as the undefeated conference champion. Dekalb in 2nd and Naperville Central third, while Waubosnie Valley and Naperville North swap places from last week.
The regular season Schedule ends with a couple of repeat matchups as Neuqua Valley heads back to Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley looks to avenge its Week 4 loss to Naperville North when the Huskies visit Aurora. Naperville Central hosts the high flying Flyers from East St Louis, it all comes down to this one for the Redhawks, who will qualify for the playoffs with a win.
Next week’s football Friday will be released on Saturday evening after the IHSA playoff brackets and schedules have been announced, so be on the look out for that. We’ll see you then, thanks for watching Football Friday, I’m Justin Cornwell.
