On its face, Naperville Central’s game against Neuqua Valley is just another challenge.
But reality says otherwise.
With both teams coming off impressive Week 1 road victories, Friday represents one of many flash points inside the rugged DuPage Valley Conference.
“Obviously, Neuqua Valley’s going to have great athletes over there, with the amount of guys that they have,” Redhawks’ quarterback Payton Thorne said. “They’re always good. So it’s going to be a fun game to get to play. Another challenge. I think our receivers are going to embrace it. They can’t wait to play.”
Neuqua Valley beating Metea Valley, 35-7, and Naperville Central earning a 37-7 victory over Glenbard North were both strong opening statements.
Quarterback play, as expected, led the way.
Thorne went 15-of-21 passing for 190 yards and four touchdowns last week while Neuqua Valley’s Jake Eskoff was 17-of-23 for 165 yards and a score.
Eskoff saw his two running backs – Cameron Raupach and Will Chevalier – combine for 139 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries.
As the reins of the Wildcats’ offense are now completely in Eskoff hands, he believes things will just get easier as he moves along.
“Offensively, we’re definitely going to add more stuff to (the playbook), make it a little more confusing for the defense, so they can’t know what we’re doing,” Eskoff said. “Then just execute the plays when it’s called upon.”
Another statement is waiting to be made inside Memorial Stadium.
And Naperville Central coach Mike Stine knows where defensive coordinator Mike Ulreich’s attention will be.
“He’s probably their best player on offense,” Stine said of Eskoff. “He’s very good. He’s not a one-dimensional kind of guy. He’s a very good player. I think he’s the kid you got to go into the game feeling like, ‘Hey, we got to be able to stop this guy.’ And I know that’s what our defense will do.
“That’ll be their game plan going in. It’s going to be another huge challenge. But every week is a huge challenge in the DVC. That’s what makes it so special.”
While at Metea Valley in 2016, Thorne didn’t see time at quarterback in its Week 1 meeting with Neuqua Valley until the fourth quarter.
Wildcats’ coach Bill Ellinghaus acknowledges Thorne isn’t his only worry.
The trio of AJ Deinhart, Jayden Reed and Tommy Coyne offer him plenty to be concerned with.
“Central’s a very, very good team,” Ellinghaus said. “There’s no question that they made a huge statement. They looked very, very good on film. But I’ll say our kids are grinders. Our kids aren’t enamored with Naperville Central.
“They play right next to those kids in summer ball and a lot of those guys grew up together. So they just know they’re a good football team. They know they got a big win and I think it’s going to be a good football game Friday night.”
