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Randolph 'special' for Naperville Central

Only a running clock could slow Naperville Central's Matt Randolph from scoring touchdowns.

Randolph crossed the goal line 5 times in the first half and once in the second half through the air as the Redhawks routed DuPage Valley Conference foe Glenbard East 48-7 Friday night.

Randolph dazzled a packed Memorial Stadium in Naperville with an early 21-yard touchdown scamper on the first drive. Randolph was hardly finished. At the end of the first half, he had racked up 239 yards on 22 carries. He finished with 271 yards and 6 touchdowns.

“Matt was special tonight,” Naperville Central coach Mike Stine said. “He works extremely hard. He's a big back, and when he carries 20-30 times, he's a load to continue to tackle.”

Stine also commended the offensive linemen for their key blocks that helped drive the route.

“The holes were there, and those guys up front blocked extremely well,” Stine said.

Randolph scored his second touchdown of the game early in the second quarter, boosting Naperville Central's lead to 13-0. Randolph was at it again on the next Redhawks drive, this time running in another 1-yard run after setting it up with a 32-yard scamper. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Randolph ripped off a 55-yard touchdown run, eluding defenders down the field, and giving Naperville Central (2-1, 1-0) a 27-0 lead with less than eight minutes to play.

Randolph added his fifth score of the first half after busting another long gain for 16 yards. Capped off with a 1-yard run, Randolph and the Redhawks led 34-0. His sixth touchdown came through the air on a dump off from quarterback Ian Lewandowski. Randolph dashed 24 yards for the TD.

“We were fired up to come out and play our first DVC game,” Randolph said. “The line did a great job, and they do a great job opening holes for me. Tonight was great, and I already matched my scores from last year. That's a tribute to our offense, and I'm really excited about our season.”

The Redhawks offense wasn't the only bright spot against the Rams (1-2, 0-1). The defense was equally impressive, holding the Rams to 141 total yards. The Rams' offense failed to complete a pass throughout the game, missing on all 11 attempts. The lone Rams score was on a 3-yard run by junior Malysha Flanders midway through the fourth quarter.

“This is a very good offense,” Stine said about Glenbard East. “Our defense works extremely hard. Our coaches put a great game plan together, and our kids executed extremely well.”