Huskies spread the wealth against Simeon

Everyone got in on the act for Naperville North on Saturday night, and not just the "skill position" players.

The second-seeded Huskies (10-0) opened defense of their Class 8A football championship with a first-round playoff game against Simeon and promptly dispatched of the Wolverines 42-16 at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Tailback Nick Mlady ran for 2 touchdowns and also had a TD catch erased by a penalty as Naperville North dominated Simeon on both sides of the ball, scoring 6 first-half touchdowns and playing the entire second half with a running clock after leading 42-0 at the break. Fullback Jack Roberts also scored twice, and Pat Waite and Matt Manade each added rushing touchdowns for the balanced attack.

But Mlady, Roberts and coach Larry McKeon were quick to point out that it was Naperville North's offensive line that paved the way to the school's 15th straight victory, while the defense wasn't too shabby either.

When asked about his 37-yard TD run that extended his team's lead to 28-0 early in the second quarter, Roberts replied: "It was very easy. I got behind (left tackle) Jake Baratz and I just ran. It was open."

Mlady, who ran for 93 yards and two scores on 6 first-half carries, also praised his offensive line.

"Everyone blocks for everyone and everyone executes for everyone," Mlady said. "It's the entire team you have to watch out for, and our offensive line was amazing tonight. They were cleaning things up."

The Huskies marched 75 yards on the game's first drive, capping the scoring drive when Mlady ran 35 yards through a hole set up by right guard James Fissinger. The Wolverines dealt with plenty more of the same as Naperville North rushed for 5 TDs in the first two quarters and added a 16-yard Manade-to-Roberts scoring pass.

"Our kids do a great job of blocking," said McKeon, whose team will host Marist Friday night in Round 2. "Our kids came out and ran real hard, and everybody took turns."