New feel as Waubonsie Valley visits Neuqua Valley
Two big differences from recent seasons loom over Friday's football game between Waubonsie Valley and host Neuqua Valley.
It's the first time these Indian Prairie School District 204 rivals meet as DuPage Valley Conference opponents. Aside from a 2012 playoff game at Neuqua on Naperville's south side, it's also the first time this game will be played away from North Central College since 2002.
"For this group of kids it'll be a brand-new experience. Obviously, it'll be a playoff atmosphere," said Waubonsie Valley coach Paul Murphy, a 2015 inductee into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Since the teams first met in 1999 Neuqua Valley leads the series 12-5 though Waubonsie Valley won last season's contest 35-28.
After two games this season each team seeks an offensive surge.
In last week's 14-7 victory over Glenbard North, Waubonsie Valley (2-0, 2-0) mustered 166 yards of offense. More than half came on senior quarterback Jack Connolly's 89-yard run that set up a 1-yard touchdown blast by Max Ihry to draw even of the Panthers midway through the second quarter. A fumble recovery by the Warriors' Ray Braun led to a 14-yard Connolly touchdown pass to 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore tight end Charles Robinson late in the first half, which proved to be the game winner.
Murphy's stress is to get the option ground game clicking behind an experienced offensive line anchored by senior center Tyler Caldwell. However, last year the Warriors startled Neuqua Valley by passing for 262 yards.
A key to Waubonsie's early success is a positive 8-2 turnover advantage.
"The kids are playing great defense, the special teams have been very good and we're finding a way to win," Murphy said.
Like Waubonsie senior running back-linebacker Ihry, Neuqua Valley (1-1, 1-1) brings a two-way bear in the form of Nick Osikowicz.
The 6-foot, 205-pound senior has led the Wildcats in rushing and tackles in both the 38-14 season-opening win at Metea Valley and in last week's 14-7 loss to Naperville Central. It wasn't necessarily supposed to be this way, but preseason injuries pared down Neuqua's offensive backfield. Junior back Greg McClellan returns full time this week.
Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus seeks a little more from his passing game, and offensive balance. Against Naperville Central - which beat the Wildcats in the last minute - Neuqua ran the ball 36 times and threw 21 times for 108 yards.
"If we can get the passing game going I think the rest will follow suit," Ellinghaus said.
He's got the tools surrounding senior quarterback Jack Stankoven. Junior Isaiah Robertson, who has scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Iowa, Maryland and Illinois, and junior Owen Piche (pronounced "pih-shay") are potential game-breakers at receiver and special teams. Western Michigan-bound tight end Brett Borske is questionable due to injury last week.
A defensive crimp is last week's loss of junior linebacker Jon Rhattigan to a probable season-ending knee injury. Osikowicz has made 13 tackles each of the last two games and Robertson, a safety, made 11 tackles against Naperville Central.
Neuqua Valley has committed no turnovers through two games. That's a plus for Friday against Waubonsie Valley - plus, the rare home field advantage.
"We're excited to play them here at our place," Ellinghaus said.