Naperville Central’s football team continued their undefeated streak on Friday, Oct. 18 with a 22-8 victory over the Sandburg Eagles, controlling the game with a dominant defensive effort.
Central’s offense was bolstered by senior running back Aiden Clark returning to the field after a two week absence from a grade two PCL tear.
The first points of the game were scored by senior quarterback Sebi Hayes with 8:53 left in the quarter.
Soon after, Clark, a captain, scored the second touchdown of the game following a series of successful rushing plays.
“It was hard for me sitting on the sidelines and just watching them do what they love most and I love most,” Clark said. “I knew I had to come back, especially for a big game and just do what I do.”
Outside linebacker Nathan Czachor, a senior, stopped Sandburg’s offense dead in its tracks by f sacking Sandburg’s quarterback. With 1:41 left in the first quarter, Sandburg’s quarterback dropped the ball after the snap in the endzone, leading to two extra points on the board for the Redhawks with a safety.
“Our defense won us a football game,” head coach Mike Ulreich said. “They were unbelievable tonight.”
Czachor was only in his second game as an outside linebacker after fellow senior Aaron Nussbaum was injured with a torn ACL during Central’s game against Lockport on Oct. 4.
The sole score put up in the second quarter was a field goal made by kicker Gavin Ellison, a junior, putting the score to 19-0 going into the half.
Early in the second half, Sandburg got their first points of the game with a touchdown and a two point conversion. After scoring what would be their only points of the game, the third quarter was relatively uneventful, save for another sack, this time made by Troy Kashul.
Ellison made his final kick of the night on a field goal, contributing to the final score of 22-8.
With 8:49 left in the game, a fumble was recovered by Czachor, sealing the game.
Next week, the Redhawks are set to take on the Lincoln-Way East Griffins in Frankfort. Also undefeated and highly ranked, the two teams will fight to claim an undefeated regular season.
“At the end of the day it’s who prepares best, and that’s what’s gonna matter on Friday night,” Clark said.
