Bergren delivers in first game as North Stars' full-time QB

Opposing coaches who scouted St. Charles North the first three weeks of the season should have had a difficult task in Week 4.

With Connor McShane, Matt Shiltz and Jake Bergren all taking snaps under center, which quarterback would concern Waubonsie Valley and its coach Paul Murphy the most in an early season battle between two of the Upstate Eight unbeatens Friday night?

St. Charles North coach Mark Gould said leading up to the game that he would stop his rotation at QB and give the job to one player but wasn't very open about announcing who that player would be.

Murphy, though, wasn't surprised when it was Bergren who took every snap under center Friday night in a shootout that ended with a 35-28 Warrior win.

"We knew he (Gould) would make a decision based on who he played and our guess was it was going to be No. 6 (Bergren)," Murphy said. "From watching the film he gave them more of a dual threat. Our defense was prepared for him."

The Warriors were, holding the North Stars to 7 points through three quarters and frustrating Bergren through a 1-of-10 passing first half.

Yet, Begren ended his first full game at quarterback with some impressive statistics and nearly a miraculous come-from-behind win. He finished with four touchdowns, including 3 through the air on 15-of-25 passing. Bergren also was by far the North Stars' biggest threat on the ground with 87 yards rushing, including a 61-yard touchdown and scrambles of 16 and 21 yards.

Bergren's big finish came as no surprise to the junior, who said he just needed time to get comfortable, which he did with 11 straight completions to start the second half. Overall he went 14 of 15 in the second half.

"It just took me a little time to find my receivers," Bergren said. "It always takes a little time to warm up, to get into it. It took me a half to settle down."

Bergren said he was glad Gould had the confidence to give him the starting job.

"It (the three-way rotation) was different to be sure," Bergren said. "It was nice knowing you had a little time to get into a rhythm (Friday). I appreciate the chance that coach gave me. I'm just glad to be on the field."

Through three weeks, Begren had been 13-of-20 compared to McShane's 10-of-13 and Shlitz 2 for 5. Both Begren and McShane had thrown an interception and a pair of touchdowns.

Gould said he hasn't decided if Bergren will remain his only quarterback the rest of the season. He picked Bergren against Waubonise Valley mostly because of his ability to run the ball.

"We'll kind of see how the situation goes. We kind of thought Jake against Waubonise and their speed we thought Jake gave us a little more because he matches up pretty good with his speed," Gould said.

The only coach the North Stars have ever had liked what he saw in Begren's first full game.

"He had some nice runs, obviously the first one was real nice for a touchdown and he had some nice throws and he had some other throws we'll have to work on," Gould said.

Whoever has been at quarterback this year looks often for Jeff Stolzenburg, who added 6 catches and 2 touchdowns to his totals Friday. He said it doesn't matter to him who quarterbacks and that the North Stars have an advantage with so many capable starters at the skill positions.

"We've got a lot of options, four running backs, three quarterbacks, couple wide receivers," Stolzenburg said. "We got players on this team. We don't have to rely on one, we are a team, a unit, whatever works. Whatever quarterback is in there, I don't care."

The North Stars just want the one who gives the best chance at victory, now 3-1 heading into the middle of their schedule and still with two of their most talented offensive weapons in running back Jordan Huxtable and wide receiver Josh Mikes still severely slowed by injuries. Huxtable ran just two times against Waubonsie Valley while Mikes again didn't play.

Gould hopes the 21-point fourth quarter Bergren engineered can be a springboard.

"I'm proud of the ways the guys came back," Gould said. "That (comeback) is going to take us a long way."

jlemon@dailyherald.com