Line leads Neuqua Valley past Naperville North
A lot of Neuqua Valley players carried the football Friday night and they all seemed to experience some success in the Wildcats' 34-7 defeat of Naperville North.
Senior DeVaughn Welch was just one of many backs with a reason to smile. Welch picked up 69 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 8 carries and was quick to credit an offensive line that includes massive tackles Thomas Cwiok and Jake Zeiler.
"We knew it was going to be windy tonight so we just wanted to get the running game going," said Welch, who capped off his team's 11-play, 65-yard opening drive with a 15-yard score behind some nice holes created by his blockers. "I credit the line because I can't do anything without them.
"The line is the most important thing and I couldn't have done anything without them. I love my line they did a great job tonight."
Wildcats coach Bill Ellinghaus also is quite fond of his offensive line. On Friday the Wildcats scored touchdowns on four long drives in the first half, piling up 304 yards of total offense and 18 first downs while taking a 27-0 lead at the half over the visiting Huskies (0-6, 0-5).
"They're special. They really are," he said of the unit, which also includes center Mike Peterson and guards Joe Backe and AJ Cwiok. "I'm really pleased with where they were and where they are at now."
Ellinghaus liked this group from the start of the season, but the line has improved steadily since opening day.
"I mean they started out good, but I'd say they're developing into a great offensive line. I'm proud of every one of these kids. They're really working together as a unit."
With line play dominating on both sides of the ball, Neuqua Valley overpowered Naperville North while improving to 5-1 overall and 4-1 in the DuPage Valley Conference. Welch had 2 TD runs in the first half, while Greg McClellan added a 15-yard scoring run and Jack Stankhoven hooked up with Mike Wicinski on a 29-yard scoring pass. Griffen Philgren got into the act with an 18-yard run into the end zone in the third quarter.
The Huskies, meanwhile, had three three-and-outs and an interception in the first half while failing to record a first down. Naperville North did get on the board on a 10-yard TD run by Jalen Lockhart early in the fourth quarter.
But the Huskies' inability to slow the Wildcats run game proved to be its downfall on Friday.
"We're young, and when you're young and you play against a good offensive line they're going to move you out," Naperville North coach Sean Drendel said. "They're outstanding. They're a very good team.
When you don't play well against a good team that's what you're going to get. But a lot of that is on Neuqua. They made us not look good."