Defense leads St. Charles North over Lake Park
There may have been some early bumps in the road for St. Charles North on Friday night, but eventually the North Stars' defense and strong running attack paved the way to 28-8 win over visiting Lake Park in DuKane Valley Conference action.
Sam DeMarco had a team-high 160 yards on 28 carries for North, including a 1-yard touchdown run. Tyler Nubin scored a pair of touchdowns on a 5-yard run and a 53-yard reception. The North Stars defense did their part in keeping Lake Park out of the end zone and forced 3 turnovers.
"I'm proud of the way the kids played," North coach Rob Pomazaki said. "This was a tough team we were up against. We are up against a tough team every week and these kids continue to rise to the challenge."
The North Stars controlled the game most of the way with a 284-155 advantage in total yards. However, the scoreboard didn't always reflect that differential.
North led 8-0 in the second quarter and had appeared to add to that lead, but a holding penalty brought back a touchdown run. Then on the very next play North gave up a pick-6 and following a 2 point conversion by the Lancers the North Stars suddenly found themselves in an 8-8 deadlock instead of enjoying a 2-touchdown lead.
The North Stars regained the lead 11-8 later in the second quarter on a 29-yard field goal by Luke Barresi. However, it remained that close all the way until early in forth quarter when the momentum completely shifted to the North Stars' favor.
Lake Park had driven down to the North 30-yard line, but an interception by the North Stars' Ethan Romero brought the drive to abrupt halt. Romero returned the interception 79 yards for an apparent touchdown, but it was called back to the Lake Park 45-yard line on an illegal block penalty. It didn't matter though because 9 plays later the North Stars were back in the end zone on a 5-yard touchdown run by Nubin to make it 18-8.
DeMarco had 35 yards rushing on the pivotal 45-yard drive,
"We just kept grinding it out," DeMarco said. "The offensive line was doing some great inside zone blocking and just blasting some holes open. Team goal every week is to be 1-0 every week. Doesn't matter if we win by 1 or 100."
Nubin put the game out of reach when he grabbed a deflected pass out of the air and raced for a 53-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
"It was me or the defender that was going to get the ball and I just made sure it was me," Nubin said.
Barressi added a 42-yard field goal for good measure.
David Hardwick had 76 yards rushing to lead the Lancers.