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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Week 7 Football Capsule: No. 11 Neuqua Valley (5-1, 4-1) @ Wheaton North (3-3, 3-2)

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No. 11 Neuqua Valley (5-1, 4-1 DuPage Valley) @ Wheaton North (3-3, 3-2 DuPage Valley), 7:30 p.m.

Last week: Neuqua Valley beat Naperville North, 34-7; Wheaton North lost to Glenbard North, 14-0

Storyline: Tied atop the DuPage Valley Conference with three weeks to play, Neuqua Valley has lots to play for ahead of its first-ever meeting with Wheaton North.

A victory against Wheaton North officially puts Neuqua Valley in the Class 8A postseason field for a sixth straight year while allowing it to keep pace with Naperville Central.

A week ago, behind their running game, the Wildcats cruised to a 34-7 victory over Naperville North – their fifth victory in the last six games between the two programs.

Three players – DeVaughn Welch, Greg McClellan and Griffen Philgren – all found the end zone on the ground against the Huskies as the Wildcats ran for a collective 257 yards.

Senior quarterback Jack Stankoven led the Wildcats on first-half scoring drives of 65, 78, 80 and 61 yards against Naperville North as he finished his night six-of-10 passing for 101 yards and a TD.

Against the Huskies, Rodney Jones’ defense permitted only a Jaylen Lockhart fourth-quarter TD run as the Neuqua Valley defense has allowed three of its last four opponents to seven points apiece.

The Falcons – sitting in a four-way tie in the loss column for second place in the DVC – are coming off a 14-0 shutout loss at home to Glenbard North.

A pair of Vittorio Tricase touchdown runs was all Glenbard North needed against Wheaton North, which saw a three-game winning streak go by the boards.

The Falcons’ offense managed just 197 total yards against the Panthers as junior quarterback Luke Anthony completed 14 of his 27 passes for 165 yards while junior Reese Dickinson ran for 63 yards on 13 carries.

With co-DVC leaders Neuqua Valley and Naperville Central the next two weeks, the opportunity for Wheaton North to get back into the race is there for the taking.

Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus on Wheaton North: “I think they’re a real good opponent – again. They’re very skilled offensively. I can’t quite put my finger on as to why they haven’t be able to score more than have because I feel like they’re very talented in their skill positions. Their offensive and defensive line – I should say their defensive line more than their offensive line – I think their defensive line gets off the ball really well. And their defense has been playing really well, just like every other team in the DVC. The defenses are very, very good.

“I feel like Wheaton North’s defense is right there with the rest of them. They’re stingy with their points. Another low-scoring contest. Glenbard North 14-0, I mean – it’s just crazy how the defenses really rise to the occasion in the DVC. Our defense is no different. Our defense is playing extremely well and I’m really excited to watch them play again because I feel like they’re getting better and better every week.

“(Anthony’s) very good. We saw him in the summer time, as well, and he’s been able to put the ball on the money. I just feel like we’re going to have to throw some different looks at him and to try to continue to get off the ball defensively. He’s a legit all-conference quarterback.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blake Baumgartner
Blake Baumgartner
Raised in Naperville, Blake Baumgartner is a 2001 Naperville Central alumnus and a 2005 graduate of Michigan State's School of Journalism. Since March 2010, he has covered football, boys' basketball and baseball for both The Naperville Sun and Positively Naperville. Follow him on Twitter @BFBaumgartner.

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