This time Naperville Central wins close one

Naperville Central found itself on the wrong end of so many close football games in the last year and a half.

The Redhawks found the right end Friday night.

They got just enough offense — and a ton of defense — to edge Glenbard North 10-6 in their DuPage Valley Conference showdown in Naperville.

By knocking off the previously unbeaten Panthers (5-1, 3-1), who played most of the game without starting quarterback Brian Murphy because of an ankle injury, Naperville Central (4-2, 3-1) controls its own destiny in the DVC heading into next week's game at Wheaton North (5-1, 4-0).

“This was very important, they're a highly ranked team,” said Redhawks linebacker John Dulleck. “We knew that we had to bounce back after last week, so beating them was just a very, very high priority for us.”

Last week's 14-7 loss at Wheaton Warrenville South conjured memories of last season when the Redhawks lost four games by 7 points or fewer and missed the playoffs. Claiming this close one came down to defense and slowing the Panthers' vaunted running game.

“Our front seven is pretty darn good,” said Redhawks coach Mike Stine. “When Murphy got hurt for them, that really made it a front seven kind of game and put their strength against our strength. Tonight we made just enough plays.”

Naperville Central held a 10-0 lead before Glenbard North running back Phil Jackson, who rushed for 107 yards on 21 carries, burst loose for a 15-yard touchdown run with 3:46 left in the game. The 9-play, 79-yard drive was keyed by a 24-yard fake punt pass from Mario Rodriguez to Justin Jackson.

A muffed snap on the extra point kept the score at 10-6, and the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Redhawks quarterback Ian Lewandowski. Naperville Central eventually ran out the clock.

Naperville Central opened the scoring with a 21-yard second-quarter field goal by Tyler Gillen. The Redhawks extended the lead to 10-0 early in the third quarter on a nifty screen pass from Lewandowski to running back Matt Randolph, who ran 65 yards for a touchdown. Randolph finished with 20 carries for 62 yards.

Glenbard North played the final three-plus quarters without Murphy, who injured the ankle on a sack. Defensive back Tremel Smith took over behind center, but then he left the game with a neck injury at the start of the fourth quarter.

Junior Greg Traficanti became the third quarterback of the game for the Panthers, and he directed the touchdown drive that ended with three straight runs by Phil Jackson.

“Offensively, obviously we struggled,” said Panthers coach Ryan Wilkens. “(Murphy) brings a little more to the table as far as being able to throw the ball and being able to run.”