Everything goes Naperville Central's way
By the time Naperville Central's football team ran its first offensive play, the Redhawks already led 16-0.
Yeah, it was that kind of day.
With stunning ease, Naperville Central rolled to Saturday's 59-0 victory over Hubbard at Chicago's Lane Tech Stadium.
The Redhawks (2-1) started the game with linebacker Dan DelGrosso's interception in the end zone. On Hubbard's next possession, Cam Conners blocked a punt and recovered it in the end zone. A safety on the following Hubbard (1-2) possession made it 16-0 with a little more than four minutes gone.
And then Naperville Central's offense was finally allowed to play.
"We were all waiting on the sideline wondering when we're going to be able to go in," said Redhawks quarterback Conor Joyce. "But credit to our defense. They played great all game, and props to them. We just came out and tried to do what we could do."
The Redhawks scored 5 second-quarter touchdowns and added another safety on Bobby McMillen's blocked punt through the end zone. The 52-0 halftime lead was more than enough to get the running clock moving the entire second half.
Naperville Central's special teams were, indeed, special. Two touchdowns, including Matt Lehmann's 64-yard kick return, and 2 safeties accounted for a good chunk of the first-half damage.
Joyce threw a touchdown pass to Michael Kolzow and rushed for a score. Running back Luke Brady took advantage of extra playing time by carrying the ball 10 times for 105 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Redhawks' swarming defense also did its job by allowing only 1 first down and 12 total yards. The offense, meanwhile, put together a quiet 274-yard effort, including 203 yards on the ground.
"The coin toss went our way and we were able to put our defense out on the field first, and that's what we really wanted to do tonight," said Naperville Central coach Mike Stine. "We felt all year our defense was pretty good, and they showed that again tonight. They all run to the ball, they're athletic. They cause problems for an offense."
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