Football team enters postseason play-offs
November 10, 2015
After nine weeks of season play and more than eight months of off-season training, Naperville Central football has reached the postseason. With a 14-7 win over Bolingbrook on Oct. 30, Central enters week two of the playoffs. At this time in the season, players and coaches reflect on their 7-1 season record, which crowned them Dupage Valley Conference (DVC) champions and share their views for a possible state championship in the near future.
In the beginning of the season, Central clinched wins against Glenbard North (13-12) and Neuqua (14-7).
“Those first two games against Glenbard North and Neuqua were, looking back on it, two of the best teams we played all year,” Defensive Coordinator Mike Ulreich said. “[They were] the teams right behind us in the conference standings, and we were able to get out of those first two games with victories.”
Central scored another win in week three against Metea Valley, but suffered their first and only loss in week four against Waubonsie. This loss appeared to be a setback, but both coaches and players agree it was important.
“I think [the loss] was a good thing for us at the moment because when you keep winning, there are some things you may overlook and not emphasize,” Ulreich said. “When you lose, you pay attention to those little things more. That’s what happened during the Waubonsie game. Had we won that game and squeaked that one out, we may have ignored some things and overlooked some things that could have cost us later on, but [because of that loss], we were able to readress some things.”
Because of this, a sense of urgency carried over to practice.
According to junior right tackle Fabian Kratz, the intensity of practices picked up after the loss to Waubonsie. The vigor was brought upon not only by coaches, but also by players. In fact, the players took initiative to improve their performance during practice, as well as the games themselves.
“After [the] Waubonsie game, we kind of had a player’s meeting,” John Barker, senior safety, said. “We realized ‘Hey, the time is now, [we’ve] kind of got to get our stuff together. There’s really no time to fret or wait back and kind of sit, we have to move now and get our stuff together and ultimately [get] some wins, and we have.’”
After week four, Central finished the season strong, crushing its crosstown rivals, Naperville North, 41-10 and not relinquishing another win. As the team approaches the postseason Head Coach Mike Stine recalls how the past may affect the present.
“[During] the off-season, this team worked extremely hard,” Stine said. “We’ve had teams that have worked hard [in the past] too, but a common characteristic of this team [is that they have] worked really hard. They were driven from last November when we lost in the playoffs to start working out to put themselves in a position where we are right now. Our goal is always to try and win the conference, make a playoffs and make a run in the playoffs.”
Barker, too, is confident in his team.
“I think our team definitely possesses […] ‘swagger,’” Barker said. “We know how to play, we play well together and that starts from being friends off the field. We have a lot of good chemistry and a lot of team attributes. I don’t think a lot of teams have [that] throughout the conference.”
Kratz, a foreign exchange student from Germany who wanted to play football in the United States, agrees with Barker.
“I like the attitude,” Kratz said. “Everyone is going full speed all practice, all week. That really shows on Friday night, and it really has an effect on the score.”
Although Ulreich is aware of some nervous energy that may arise during playoffs because of the sudden death aspect, he and the other coaches maintain a standard practice schedule. They only focus on the things they can control. Because of this, Ulreich has a positive outlook.
“We have a great group out there right now, and if we can continue playing the way we have, […] with that type of energy, in all three phases, offense, defence and special team, we’ll be a tough team to beat,” Ulreich said. “We’ve got a great group identity right now, [and] the seniors are really starting to take ownership of that. It’s exciting.”
However, this excitement for playoffs encompasses not only the football team, but the fans as well. Senior Murphy Hockett has spent most of her Friday nights this fall watching the football team and cannot wait for what will come in the future.
“I feel really confident with postseason because I know all the boys are working really hard and they really want to win state, and they have the confidence to get there,” Hockett said.
