No. 5 Naperville Central (9-3, 4-1 DuPage Valley in 2014) @ No. 15 Glenbard North (4-5, 2-3 DuPage Valley in 2014), 7:30 p.m.
Storyline: Two of the better programs of recent vintage in the DVC kick off a new era in the conference opposite one another.
A year removed from laying claim to the 2013 Class 8A state title, Naperville Central has its eyes set squarely on returning to DeKalb in late November following a nine-win season a year ago.
The return of senior quarterback Conor Joyce and Iowa-bound wide receiver/defensive back Emmanuel Rugamba bodes well for an offense that should pick up where it left off despite losing Kevin Clifford.
Joyce, Rugamba, Aurora Christian transfer Jeremiah Wiggins and Clifford’s replacement at running back, Luke Brady, may need to pick up the slack early on with the defense incorporating several new parts.
Meanwhile, Glenbard North was on the postseason sidelines for the first time since 2002 in its first year post Justin Jackson, who’s entering his sophomore year at Northwestern, after finishing 4-5 in 2014.
Ryan Wilkens, heading into his 11th year at the helm of the Panthers’ program, had led them to the postseason every year since taking over for Dale Evans in 2005.
Senior running back Devion Hodges returns to help lead Wilkens’ offense with something to prove after missing the Panthers’ last two games last year because of an athletic code violation.
Hodges ran for 211 yards on 41 carries in the Redhawks’ 28-14 victory over Glenbard North last year, a game that saw Redhawks’ defensive coordinator Mike Ulreich’s charges return three interceptions for TDs.
Naperville Central coach Mike Stine on Glenbard North: “With Glenbard North, you know it’s going to be a street fight: ‘Let’s pull the socks up and let’s just play.’ That’s the mentality, so it’s going to be that way. We know that. That’s how football is supposed to be played. We’re looking forward to the challenge and I know that they’re going to be very good. They’ve got three great skill players and their offensive line is always tough. Defensively, they’ll smack you in the mouth. So it’s a great test, it’s a great opener and hopefully it’s a good test for both teams.”
