Waubonsie Valley 10, Neuqua Valley 6
Waubonsie Valley did it.
Holding a slim lead start to finish, the Warriors on Friday beat Neuqua Valley 10-6 at North Central College's Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium.
Even before it ended Waubonsie's players stormed the field after winning the Indian Prairie Classic football rivalry for the first time since 2001.
"They came out hard, we came out harder," said Waubonsie Valley third-year defensive back Josh Daniels, whose fourth-quarter interception helped the Warriors improve to 2-7 against Neuqua Valley.
"Three years I've been on varsity, we haven't beat them yet, till today," Daniels said. "We got them, baby."
Waubonsie Valley (2-2, 1-1) got its District 204 and Upstate Eight Conference rival, then its student body rip-roared through downtown Naperville.
"This is the biggest win in any of our careers right now," quarterback Tyler Castro said. "This is huge."
Waubonsie used several huge plays to beat Neuqua Valley (1-3, 1-1).
Topping the list in coach Paul Murphy's eyes was the extra-point kick blocked by junior Tom Lund after Anton Wilkins' 4-yard run pulled Neuqua within 10-6 at 11:28 of the fourth quarter.
"Now it's a 4-point game, they can't tie us with a field goal, they've got to beat us with a touchdown. That took a lot of pressure off us," Murphy said.
Waubonsie's touchdown followed a turnover on Neuqua's first possession, Chris Burns' interception off a pass tipped by linebacker Kevin Garbis, who flung his helmet into the stands in celebration after the game.
Not as excited was Wildcats coach Bryan Wells: "We've got to clean up the mistakes."
Three plays later Rich Tronolone took a pitch 16 yards and cut off a block from back Kenny Harrington, who ran 23 times for 81 yards. Mitch Ewald added the kick for Waubonsie's quick 7-0 lead.
"Right when I got the ball I saw it was going to be open," said Tronolone, part of a senior class that beat Neuqua as freshmen. "We knew we could get outside, and I just cut in when I could."
A 26-yard pass to tight end Ben Smith from Castro helped position the Warriors for Ewald's 35-yard field goal that made it 10-0 at halftime.
Despite Spencer Merritt's fumble recovery and Daniels' interception, Neuqua still had a chance at its own 12-yard line with 2:33 left to play.
Four incomplete passes later, Waubonsie claimed the right to go crazy.
"It's depressing," said Wilkins, who ran for 76 yards on 31 carries. "But at the end of the day when we look at the scoreboard, we see all the Waubonsie fans cheering and everything, we will remember this. It's a lesson learned."