Two former DVC teams, Naperville Central and Wheaton Warrenville South, kick off the High School football season, with the Tigers grinding out a 27-7 win to start the year 1-0.
The IHSA football season kicks off with two former DVC opponents hitting the field as Naperville Central takes on Wheaton Warrenville South. The Redhawks look to bounce back from a 2-7 campaign from a season ago, while the Tigers look to build off their 7-4 record and playoff appearance from last year. This highlight is sponsored by BMO.
The Tigers are going for it on their opening drive. AJ Rogers looks for Blake Ittersagan, and the two connect for the first touchdown of the season for the home team.
Redhawks and Tigers trade opening scores
Simon Hayes gets the nod at QB for the Hawks this fall. He rolls out and completes a short pass to Mark Williams, who will take care of the rest. Williams picks up a first down and much more, and is stopped just short of the goal line.
On the next play, Ryan Jacobson takes the handoff into the end zone for the Redhawks and the game is tied at 7-7.
The Tigers continue their aerial attack as Rogers fakes the run, rolls out, and hits a wide-open Jacob Bellows to move those chains.
Rogers caps off the drive as he did the previous one, finding his man Steven Harvey, and the survey says touchdown! The good answer gives the Tigers a 14-7 lead.
The Redhawks are on to punt, but the snap goes off Noah Evans. He can’t recover, so the Tigers will, giving them great field possession.
Rogers is looking for a hat trick of touchdowns, but Nataniel Yoon puts a stop to it and makes the interception. Unfortunately, the Redhawks can’t capitalize. The Tigers get a field goal on the next drive and lead 17-7 at the half.
The Tigers get another field goal to lead 20-7, so Hayes and the Hawks go back to work. He hits an open Kyle Clark to move the chains, looking to get back in the game.
However, the Wheaton South defense puts a stop to the drive thanks to Ben Menzer sacking Hayes for a loss.
Hayes tries again on the next drive, but he throws an interception to Joshua Manriquez. Another big stop for the Tigers’ defense.
Wheaton Warrenville South runs to opening night win
Following the takeaway, Trent Simpson feeds off the momentum. He finds the open hole, hits the gas, and 75 yards later it’s a Wheaton Warrenville South touchdown. That’s all she wrote as the Tigers take a 27-7 win over the Redhawks.
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