WW South 42, Naperville N. 41 (3 OT)

Mike Piatkowski didn't know the reason behind the call -- he just knew one thing.

"We had to find a way to win the game," the WW South quarterback said.

Piatkowski's 2-point conversion in the third overtime gave Wheaton Warrenville South a 42-41 win over Naperville North on Friday in front of 7,500 fans at Red Grange Field, giving the Tigers the DuPage Valley Conference championship in a game for the ages between unbeatens.

"It was an epic battle of two great, great programs," WW South coach Ron Muhitch said. "Naperville North has nothing to be ashamed of."

Naperville North (8-1, 6-1) had gone ahead 41-34 on Jordan Tassio's 10-yard touchdown run, the third score in overtime for the Huskies' quarterback.

Piatkowski found a sliding Mike Sloboda for a touchdown on third down to make it 41-40, and WW South (9-0, 7-0) elected to go for the make-or-break 2-point conversion, passing on a possible fourth overtime.

Piatkowski rolled out right, made a cut for the end zone and just leaned the ball across the plane of the goal as he fell to the ground.

"The line blocked perfectly. I just saw a lane and cut it up," Piatkowski said.

"It was kind of getting tiring, going back and forth, so we wanted to win the game and go for 2."

"It was a bold call," Tassio said.

Tassio's brilliant 20-yard touchdown run with 1:51 left in regulation tied the game at 20-20.

Both teams had a chance to win in regulation, but Tassio was intercepted by Sam Burke at midfield with a minute left. Dan Conroy's 38-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Mark Puknaitis, sending the game to overtime.

"When he blocked the kick, I was the most relieved person here," Tassio said.

Tassio scored virtually untouched on all three overtime possessions. In the first overtime WW South matched Tassio's touchdown on fourth-and-goal, Piatkowski throwing a bullet to Francis Adarkwa amid a crowd of Huskies in the end zone.

"I didn't even run the right route," Adarkwa said. "I went slant, and Piatkowski made an excellent throw."

The game that every fan in the DVC looked forward to all year lived up to advanced billing -- and then some.

"It's the most exciting game I've ever played in my life," Tassio said.

"No matter the outcome, I'm glad I played in this game," Adarkwa said.