Neuqua Valley's big plays derail Waubonsie
Neuqua Valley two-way standout Isaiah Robertson knew it would take big plays as two familiar foes paired off Friday night in Naperville.
And the Wildcats' junior was more than ready.
He opened the night with a touchdown catch in the second quarter, then returned a pick 92 yards in the third quarter to give the hosts a 21-0 lead on their way to a 28-7 victory over Waubonsie Valley.
"It was going to take a lot of big plays. We both know each other so well," Robertson said of the longtime Upstate Eight Conference rivals who are each now competing in the DuPage Valley Conference.
Robertson also used a long punt return on the final play of the third quarter to set up one of two Nick Osikowicz touchdown runs as Neuqua Valley
jumped ahead 28-0 before Waubonsie Valley scored late to break up the shutout in the DVC matchup featuring District 204 rivals.
"Coach said to be ready for tipped balls, and that one just fell into my lap," Robertson said of the deflected pass. "Coach said to be ready for a
Pick 6 and that's how it turned out."
The Neuqua Valley offense rebounded after a rough first quarter that resulted in a lost fumble, an interception and a 12-yard punt. With the Wildcats' defense standing tall, though, the game remained scoreless into the second quarter.
With 6:24 left in the first half, Neuqua Valley called a timeout facing fourth-and-4 from the 10. Quarterback Jack Stankoven rolled right and fired a perfect strike to Robertson in the right corner of the end zone.
"It was a slant in the corner, and Jack stayed calm back there," Robertson said. "We worked on that all week. It was a great call by the coaches, and it worked out for us."
Waubonsie Valley was led by Max Ihry, who had 82 yards on 14 carries.
The Warriors got on the board when Steve Rosenthal hauled in a 30-yard pass from Jack Connolly for the game's final score.
But Robertson's long interception return was the biggest play of the night, as the Warriors were at the Neuqua 21-yard line with hopes of closing
the gap to 14-7, but moments later Robertson was celebrating his second score of the night as the Wildcats took a three-touchdown lead.
Both teams now sport 2-1 overall and DVC records.
In Week 4, Waubonsie Valley will host Naperville Central, while Neuqua Valley will play its third road game in four weeks, at Wheaton Warrenville South.
Stankoven finished the night 11 for 17 for 90 yards with a touchdown and 1 interception for the Wildcats, who also received a boost from Owen Piche, who played some QB out of the Wildcat formation and gained 61 yards on 8 rushes and also completed a key 24-yard pass to Robertson.
Connolly finished the night 9-for-16 for Waubonsie with a touchdown pass and the one big interception that did deflect off a receiver.