Ippolito extends Neuqua Valley’s DE tradition at NIU

Neuqua Valley senior defensive end Michael Ippolito delivered his verbal commitment to Northern Illinois University on Sept. 22. He follows past Neuqua football stars Alan Smith and Anthony Antonacci, another defensive end, to the Huskies.

“I think it’s a great decision for Mike,” said Neuqua Valley coach Bryan Wells. “He’s certainly deserving of it. Surely he’s glad to have the recruiting process over. Northern seems to be really excited about him.”

Wells said Ippolito had offers from nearly every Mid-American Conference team, including Bowling Green and Toledo. There’s good reason for that. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Ippolito has the frame to stack more muscle upon, and has explosive speed.

“I think they like his energy, the way he plays. He’s physical,” said Wells, whose Wildcats are rolling at 4-1.

Entering this week’s game against Metea Valley, Ippolito has made 19 solo tackles and 10 assists, with 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 3 quarterback hurries. He’s also gotten back into coverage for 4 pass breakups. As a junior Ippolito was second on Neuqua with 75 tackles, including 16 for loss with 10 sacks.

“He’s a great player and he’s deserving — and he’s a fine, young man,” Wells said. “I’m excited for him.”

The gauntlet:Every DuPage Valley Conference team seems to endure it at some point in the season, but rarely do they wait this long. Glenbard North (5-0, 3-0) will spend the rest of the regular season playing four straight games against the other top teams in the DVC. It begins Friday against Naperville Central (3-2, 2-1) and continues with Wheaton Warrenville South (2-3, 2-1), Wheaton North (4-1, 3-0) and Naperville North (3-2, 2-1). #147;It#146;s not ideal but there#146;s nothing we can do to change it,#148; said Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens. Thus far the Panthers have rolled through their first five games. They#146;ve notched three shutouts and scored at least 40 points four times. The lone exception was last week#146;s 31-21 DVC win over West Aurora. Wilkens and Glenbard North know the stakes are about to get much higher, but the Panthers are ready to take the showdowns one at a time.#147;That#146;s all we can do is play the game that#146;s right in front of us, so right now all we#146;re thinking about is Naperville Central,#148; Wilkens said. #147;It just makes it that much more important that we stay healthy.#148;A clear message:Celebrating its first victory of the season last Friday, the young squad at Wheaton Academy (1-4) learned a simple message.#147;We can win and we can win convincingly, and if we can execute well good things can happen,#148; Warriors coach Ben Wilson said of his team#146;s 41-14 win over Chicago Christian.#147;They were really excited after all the hard work they#146;d put in. It was an enjoyable weekend.#148;Good things came in large packages for the Warriors. Quarterback Drew Decker had his best game of the season. The sophomore completed 12 of 18 passes for 232 yards and 3 touchdowns, all 3 to slot receiver Matt Lindsay. One of several two-way players, Lindsay also forced 2 fumbles and made 6 tackles on defense.Continuing his hot hand from the prior week against St. Francis, Joel Swick had a 49-yard touchdown run and returned an interception 93 yards for another score. The Warriors also got running back Justin Sergeant on track after an injury.#147;Our offense took advantage of opportunities when we had them, and built some confidence going into Marmion,#148; Wilson said. The Cadets will be a handful for Wheaton Academy, which must still limit its turnovers.#147;We#146;ll just say we can get better,#148; Wilson said.Dual talent:Benet sophomore Sean O#146;Mara, who played as a freshman on last season#146;s nationally-ranked varsity basketball team that went 29-1, recently was promoted to the varsity football team to bolster an injury-depleted offensive line.#147;I really think experience in other sports helps,#148; said Benet football coach Pat New. #147;He#146;s used to playing varsity sports with basketball, he#146;s played in front of 8,000 fans. He doesn#146;t feel the pressure as much.#148;O#146;Mara, listed at 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, played left tackle against state-ranked Joliet Catholic in last week#146;s 35-0 East Suburban Catholic Conference loss. His contribution provided a boost to the Redwings after injuries to offensive linemen Phil Cannizzaro and Matt Theisen. Considered one of the state#146;s top basketball players in the Class of 2014, O#146;Mara may start making a name for himself in football.#147;Overall he#146;s done a nice job,#148; New said. #147;He#146;s elevated his game since coming up to varsity.#148;A game to build on:Also earning its first victory last week was Lisle, 26-8 on homecoming over Interstate Eight Small Division foe Dwight.#147;They won in a decisive manner, I think,#148; said Lions coach Dan Sanko. #147;The second half we just totally shut them down.#148;Lisle was looking for someone to hit, and two-way lineman Dan Kisla and running back-linebacker Nick Leonard complied. Leonard ran for 2 touchdowns and caught a Nick Saul pass for a crucial first down. #147;I don#146;t think he wanted people to tackle him,#148; Sanko said of Leonard, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound senior. #147;He made sure he got the better of it.#148;Saul also got the better of it, throwing touchdown passes to receivers Ty Howell #8212; No. 1 in his senior class academically, Sanko said #8212; and Dawon Burnell, a junior with all kinds of potential. Saul finished 14 of 22 passing for 219 yards.Overall Sanko was pleased for the first time this season with both his offense and defense, along with special teams units that have played well throughout.#147;I think it#146;s a game we can definitely build on,#148; he said. #147;Sometimes a win can rejuvenate and energize a team. Let#146;s hope that happens.#148;Next up is winless Reed-Custer, a five-wide team trying to pass its way out of the conference cellar.#147;We can#146;t relax,#148; Sanko said. #147;We#146;re 1-4.#148;Stellar starts:Two area football teams continue to enjoy especially strong starts to the season.Fenton (5-0) opens play in the Metro Suburban Conference with Friday#146;s home game against Ridgewood as the Bison continue to chase the school#146;s 1984 state semifinalist team that went 9-0. According to coach Mark Kos, no Fenton team since 1984 had gone 3-0 and no Fenton team in history other than the 1984 squad went 4-0 or 5-0.Addison Trail (5-0, 3-0 West Suburban Gold Conference), meanwhile, already made program history with last week#146;s 35-0 Gold win over Morton. According to coach Paul Parpet, the Blazers became the first football team in school history to open a season 5-0, eclipsing the 1981 that started 4-0.Fenton and Addison Trail, which faces Proviso East on Saturday, can clinch playoff berths with a sixth win this weekend.#147;We still have big things to play for,#148; Parpet said, #147;but clinching that playoff berth takes a lot of pressure off.#148;A mulligan, anybody?Metea Valley coach Ted Monken is always a good source of levity and perspective. He lent a personal touch to his recall of the first half of last week#146;s 51-0 loss to Waubonsie Valley. #147;It#146;s a little bit like my golf game,#148; Monken said. #147;When things start going bad they go bad pretty quick and the next thing you know the game#146;s out of control.#148;Metea (3-2) trailed only 10-0 late in the second quarter when Waubonsie capitalized on turnovers to score three touchdowns in 36 seconds for a 31-0 halftime lead.#147;The wheels fell off pretty fast Friday night, and that#146;s sometimes what it feels like when I#146;m golfing,#148; Monken said.