Amorrortu’s last-minute TD pass gives Metea Valley first win over Neuqua Valley in stunning fashion

Since Metea Valley opened in 2009, it had not beat DuPage Valley Conference rival Neuqua Valley in football once. It seemed like only a miracle would break that hex.

A miracle was exactly what the doctor ordered Friday in Naperville as Iggy Amorrortu’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Charlie Larson with nine seconds left gave the Mustangs (2-2, 1-0) their first and only lead for a 34-29 comeback win over the Wildcats (1-3, 0-1).

Their three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter overcame a 16-point deficit.

“I’m happy that I can be the head of this program and have a chance to make an impact on these kids’ lives,” said Metea Valley coach Patrick Sheehan. “I love them all.”

Amorrortu, a St. Francis transfer, threw both of his touchdown passes to Larson, earlier finding him from 29 yards out late in the second quarter. He finished with 230 passing yards, completing 13 attempts out of 30, and also ran for a touchdown in the fourth.

“I live for this moment,” exclaimed Amorrortu. “I want everybody to count against me. I want everyone to say, ‘Oh, I don’t think he can.’ Because I can every time, and I will proceed and fight everything I’ve got in my body for my team.”

In addition to his two touchdowns, Larson paced Metea Valley with nine catches for 179 yards despite playing with both a sprained quad and sprained hamstring.

The Mustangs also got help on special teams. With 16 seconds left in the first half, a badly handled long snap on a punt attempt was scooped up by Tito Ajibola, who ran the ball 25 yards to the end zone.

During the fourth-quarter comeback, Paris Jackson picked up Freddie Rook’s blocked 39-yard field-goal attempt by Rook and took it 70 yards for the score.

That play set up Metea Valley’s game-winning drive in the final minute. The Mustangs got help on a Neuqua Valley penalty on fourth down after Amorrortu threw three straight incomplete passes.

The Wildcats continued to commit penalties on the drive in addition to Amorrortu’s clutch throwing. Not even a lengthy delay caused by a clock malfunction once the Mustangs got into Wildcats territory could slow him down.

Connor McCarty was the focal point for Neuqua Valley’s offense. He scored twice and ran for 215 yards on 31 attempts.

Drake Mennecke was on the bench with a knee injury, so McCarty took his handoffs from backup quarterback Ben Travis, who threw for one touchdown and 297 yards on 21-of-28 passing.

“I believe that this team will come together as one,” said Wildcats coach Bill Ellinghaus. “And we will continue to battle as one. We’re a group of guys that have great character.”

Meanwhile, how do the Mustangs build on this historic win?

“We just continue day in and day out, continue what we’ve been doing every single week,” Amorrortu said. “Nothing changes. This is a good high, but tomorrow, get back to work, and we’ve got Naperville North next week.”