Naperville North ready for the muck with 31-7 win over Glenbard East
A little bit of mud at practice went a long way for Naperville North. Both teams were hampered by a soggy, mud-caked field, but it was the Huskies who prevailed 31-7 over Glenbard East in Du Page Valley Conference action in Lombard. Used to the synthetic turf at home, Naperville North coach Larry McKeon prepared his team for the conditions.
"We talked about it all week," McKeon said. "We actually found some mud and used it at practice. I guess it paid off."
The Huskies orchestrated a 13-play, 81-yard drive on their first possession. The drive was grounded through the muck, and ended with a 2-yard touchdown run from senior halfback Idris Hanidu. It was the first of 4 touchdowns from Hanidu.
The Huskies (4-3, 2-3) used another run from Hanidu on their third possession, this time a 14-yard scamper that extended their lead 12-0 in the second quarter. It would be short-lived. The Rams sole score came on a 35-yard strike from quarterback Jack Merrithey to junior running back Tyler Lueck. The 11-play, 70-yard scoring drive was the closest the Rams would get to catching the Huskies.
Naperville North closed the second quarter with a 2-yard run from Hanidu that vaulted the Huskies to an 18-6 advantage with 4.4 seconds remaining. Hanidu picked up his fourth touchdown on a 4-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
The Rams (3-4, 1-4) were victimized by 2 turnovers that gave the Huskies good field position - and points.
"Turnovers definitely hurt, and we were ineffective on first down," Glenbard East coach Dennis Lueck said. "Both teams had to play on (a muddy field), and they did better than we did."
The Rams' chances at a postseason berth took a hit with the loss, but Lueck said that the team will focus only on the games ahead.
"You just have to play," Lueck said. "If you worry about it, you're going to get yourself in trouble. You just have to go out and play - that's the bottom line. You get yourself into a position to win, and we just didn't do that tonight."