Naperville North (2-5, 0-3 DuPage Valley) @ Wheaton North (2-5, 1-2 DuPage Valley), 7:30PM.
Last week: Naperville North lost to Wheaton Warrenville South, 41-0; Wheaton North lost at Naperville Central, 14-3
Storyline: With both programs sitting at 2-5 entering Week 8, the final two weeks of the season are about getting reps in anticipation of next season.
Evoking memories of a 42-6 loss Wheaton Warrenville South handed Naperville North in Naperville in 1998 en route to claiming the 1998 Class 6A state title with an unblemished 14-0 record, the Tigers eliminated Naperville North from postseason contention with a 41-0 shutout last week.
Losers of its last five games, Naperville North will be on the postseason sidelines for the first time since 1996 as its streak of 17 consecutive postseason appearances will come to an end.
The Huskies managed just 133 total yards on offense against a Wheaton Warrenville South defense that limited them to just one first down in the first half which saw the Tigers go into the locker room up 21-0 at halftime.
Meanwhile, Wheaton North will miss out on the postseason party for the first time since 2006 and for the first time in seven years under the helm of Joe Wardynski.
Sophomore QB Luke Anthony completed 17 of his passes for 161 yards in the Falcons’ 14-3 loss at Naperville Central last week, but he has shown his capabilities in combining for six touchdowns in the Falcons’ previous two games, a 30-9 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South and a 27-23 loss at Glenbard North.
Naperville North coach Sean Drendel on Wheaton North: “Every kid’s a challenge in the DVC, so (the Falcons) are fairly skilled. They’ve been very successful at the lower levels with the age groups. I know they’re kind of scuffling a little bit, just like us, with a difficult schedule. But they present a huge problem.
“(Anthony’s) a big and strong kid. (He) throws a good ball. Looks like he makes the right decisions. Unfortunately, it’s a kid we’ll have to deal with for the next three years.”
