Lifka, Huskies 'D' get it done in W. Chicago

Nick Lifka struck a commanding presence in Naperville North's postgame huddle that was more about the road ahead than nine games just completed.

“This means nothing,” the Huskies senior said. “The playoffs mean everything.”

Lifka set the tone on the field, too.

The Boston College-bound linebacker recorded 15 tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown in Naperville North's 31-14 win over West Chicago on Friday.

“He's a beast,” West Chicago coach Paul Reinke said. “If you don't get him blocked and let him run you down, that's exactly what he's going to do, is make plays.”

Lifka and the Huskies defense gave a lift to an offense that struggled to get untracked.

Shut out in the second half of a loss to Wheaton North the Friday before, Naperville North (6-3, 4-3 DuPage Valley Conference) found itself scoreless with West Chicago (1-8, 0-7) well into the second quarter.

But Huskies defensive lineman Brandon Williamson recovered a West Chicago fumble to set up Naperville North at the Wildcats' 17. Six plays later Matt LaCosse took in a 4-yard touchdown run with 5:26 left in the half, earlier converting a fourth-and-4 to keep the drive alive.

Naperville North got it going from there, taking a 17-0 halftime lead on a 2-yard Danny Puknitas touchdown run and 23-yard Ron Coluzzi field goal in the final minute.

Both drives started in excellent field position after the Naperville North defense forced three-and-outs.

“To be honest with you, take away the Wheaton South game our defense has played pretty well all year,” Huskies coach Sean Drendel said. “Sometimes our offense needs a little jump start. Thank God our defense kept us in it.”

Wherever a West Chicago ballcarrier went, it seemed Lifka was waiting with bad intentions. He also nearly intercepted a pass in the first half.

“It was great game-planning,” Lifka said. “Coach gave me my keys, we watched a lot of film, and I knew right where I was going. Watching the O-line splits, their motions coach made it easy for me to be in the right spot. He gave me the game plan and I made it happen.”

Leading 24-0 in the third quarter, Lifka put the icing on the cake of a huge night, scooping up a West Chicago fumble and rumbling 17 yards for Naperville North's first defensive touchdown of the season.

“We talked about that at halftime, that we hadn't had a defensive touchdown all year,” Lifka said. “When I saw that ball come out I was like ‘ooh yeah.'”

LaCosse ran for 73 yards on 11 carries and completed 6 of 15 passes for 50 yards for Naperville North, which now sets its sights on the playoffs in what could be a wide-open Class 8A bracket.

“Regular season is all about seedings and bragging rights,” Lifka said. “It all comes down to the playoffs.”

Evan Bernard scored on a 1-yard run and hooked up with Sean Paler for a 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for West Chicago.

“The second half we just kind of wore down a little bit,” Reinke said, “and their athletes made great plays. I'm proud of my kids. They battled against a team that is a powerhouse in the state of Illinois. I can't be more proud of them.”