Downers Grove North converts upset over WWS

It's a 2-point play Downers Grove North football fans will reminisce about for years to come.

So will the Wheaton Warrenville South faithful, but for different reasons.

Downers North, a heavy underdog in the playoff opener, rallied for an 8-7 upset victory over the host Tigers in a shocking start to the Class 7A bracket on Friday.

"Just a great night," said Trojans quarterback Dan Sheppard. "We've been preparing for this our whole lives. It's just great to come through."

With 1:39 left in the fourth quarter, Downers North running back Joe Tokarski bulled into the end zone to pull the seventh-seeded Trojans (6-4) within 7-6 of the No. 2 Tigers (8-2).

After Trojans coach John Wander made the decision to go for 2 points, Sheppard threw an incomplete pass but the Tigers were flagged for pass interference. Given a second chance at the 1-and-a-half yard line, Sheppard kept the ball on a sweep to the left and dove toward the goal line.

The line judge initially signaled that Sheppard didn't make it over the line. Another official, however, came in and said Sheppard did score. Following an officials conference, the referee signaled it was a good attempt and the Trojans claimed the 8-7 lead despite a fierce protest from the WW South coaching staff.

"The umpire thinks he saw the guy twist over the line," said Tigers coach Ron Muhitch. "So he overrides the guy who's on the line, who makes the call. The guy who's the umpire is behind the line. His perception of coming over the line is not as good as the guy on the line. The line judge had the call. The line judge did not think he made it over.

"It's a shame that our seniors had to lose a game like that with controversy on our home field," he said. "But we played into their hands. A credit to Downers North playing their game, doing their thing."

With 1:39 left WW South still had time to win the game. On the ensuing kick, though, Trojans kicker Joe Claver surprised the Tigers by squibbing the ball. Downers North's Ryan Mussatto recovered it at midfield and the Trojans ran out the clock.

"We sat down as a team before the game and we all believed together," Claver said. "I know we were big underdogs, so this is huge."

Scoreless at the half, the Tigers opened the third quarter with a 15-play, 57-yard drive - twice converting on fourth down - and took a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard dive by Julian Banuelos, who rushed for 81 yards on 22 carries.

Downers North threw interceptions on its next two possessions, but both picks pinned down the Tigers inside their 5-yard line.

When WW South failed to get a first down following the second interception, a 21-yard punt set up the Trojans at the Tigers' 29 with 4:50 left. Eight running plays later, Tokarski put Downers North on the board.

"It wasn't pretty," Wander said. "But when the time comes and the scoreboard says 8-7, I don't really care if it's ugly, pretty, or what."