Wheaton North (2-4, 1-1 DuPage Valley) @ No. 8 Naperville Central (5-1, 2-0 DuPage Valley), 7:30PM.
Last week: Wheaton North lost at Glenbard North, 27-23; Naperville Central won at Naperville North, 27-6
Storyline: On a five-game winning streak and becoming playoff eligible after last week’s victory over crosstown rival Naperville North, the defending Class 8A state champions are aiming to officially clinch its spot in the Class 8A postseason field Friday night against Wheaton North.
A defense that forced six turnovers, including picking off four Evan Kujawski passes, against Naperville North will look to keep that momentum going against a Wheaton North team that’s coming off a tough loss at Glenbard North.
Offensively, Kevin Clifford gashed the Huskies’ defense for 256 yards in the Redhawks’ 27-6 victory last week.
The Falcons put up 30 points in their 30-9 victory over their crosstown rival, Wheaton Warrenville South, on Sept. 26 before falling just short against the Panthers a week ago.
Sophomore quarterback Luke Anthony threw a pair of touchdown passes to Michael Bloss for Wheaton North in the 27-23 loss in Carol Stream last week, but he had three TD passes and a short TD run against the Tigers the week before.
Naperville Central coach Mike Stine on Wheaton North: “They’re a really good team. They’re an explosive team. The strength of their team is throwing the ball and it’s going to be a tough match. They’re a very good team.”
“(Anthony) doesn’t play on sophomore. He’s a good player. … They’re a very good offense. They might be the best offense we face this year. It’s going to be a (battle). They’re very good. It will be a great test for our defense.”
“They’re playing for their life. It’s going to be a great matchup. It’s a typical DVC game.”
“They have a great offensive scheme. They get the ball out. They’re hard to get pressure on. They throw the ball quick. They’ve got great timing routes. They got great receivers that can run routes and can catch the ball. So they cause a lot of problems. It’s hard to get to him. (Anthony) is able to get the ball to his playmakers and they’ve been able to make plays. That’s the challenge. Can you defend them? (Anthony’s) going to get the ball out of his hand quickly.”
