Naperville Central’s varsity football team won 24-21 in a close crosstown game against their rivals, Naperville North, on Sept. 7 in front of a packed crowd at North Central College’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
The game, usually played later in the season, was moved up to week 2 due to the restructuring of the Dupage Valley Conference. The win marked the Redhawks’ third consecutive victory of the Wes Spencer Crosstown Classic.
On a fumble by Central with 9:20 left in the first quarter, North recovered it for a turnover, and proceeded to score a touchdown.
Central quickly responded to North’s offensive push when DeShaun Williams, a senior committed to Indiana State, scored his first touchdown of the night. Quarterback Sebastian Hayes, a senior, threw from North’s 44 yard line directly into the wide-open arms of Williams to score a touchdown.
However, on the conversion, kicker Gavin Ellison, a junior, had his first of two misses that night, the other later on a field goal attempt.
8:08 into the second quarter, North’s powerful passing offense led by Quarterback Jacob Bell, a senior, scored another touchdown, bringing the score to 6-14.
Fortunately for Central, Williams responded and scored a touchdown with 41.6 seconds remaining in the half.
“I felt great getting those touchdowns, celebrating my guys and seeing the defense make plays,” Williams said.
Central’s defense sacked Bell eight times throughout the game.
The third quarter was uneventful, save for captain Aiden Clark, a senior, suffering a brief injury before eventually getting back into the game. A touchdown and one point conversion was also scored by the Huskies.
After briefly sitting out, Clark returned back into the action, running eight yards for a touchdown with 10:13 left in the game.
The Redhawks went for a two-point conversion and got it, as Hayes connected with junior Dylan Martin, tying up the score at 21-21.
With a minute left in the game, the Redhawks opted for a field goal, and Ellison delivered, scoring the game winning kick from 25 yards out.
Sealing Central’s victory was the team’s defense, stopping North on a fourth down with seconds remaining on the clock.
“This is what we knew all week,” head coach Mike Ulreich said. “It was going to be a close game in the fourth quarter, and so this is what we expected. We just kept plugging away, and we found a way to win.”
Central is set to take on Andrew High School at home on Sept. 13.
