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Naperville Central clinches share of DVC title

Senior Joe Schweikart had another big game for the Naperville Central football team's vaunted defense Friday, collecting 4 tackles for loss, including a sack.

Perhaps his biggest play, however, came in a rare stint at tight end.

Schweikart's first reception of the season set up the Redhawks' second touchdown that proved to be the difference in their 17-10 victory at Lake Park that clinched at least a share of their first DuPage Valley Conference title since 2001.

"It was weird. I haven't really had to catch a ball since eighth grade," the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Schweikart said. "It was a little different, but I'm still upset I didn't score the touchdown on that."

Schweikart's 15-yard catch on third-and-9 reached the 1. Quarterback Conor Joyce scored two plays later to give the Redhawks (7-1, 4-0) a 14-3 lead in the third quarter. They went ahead 17-3 before Lake Park (5-3, 2-2) scored with 3:08 left.

It was among the few offensive highlights in a game with two of the area's stingiest defenses.

"It was a hard-fought battle," Schweikart said. "We knew it was going to be a defensive game because they have a great defense as well as we do. Our offense did a great job. They executed when we needed them to. They did fantastic."

The Redhawks opened a 14-point advantage after Connor Assalley nailed a 37-yard field goal with five seconds left in the third quarter.

Lake Park responded with an impressive 19-play, 83-yard TD drive, concluding with quarterback Jaron Field's 2-yard run and Cameron VanAswegen's extra point.

The ensuing onside kickoff, however, did not travel the minimum 10 yards. The Redhawks ran out the clock behind workhorse running back Kevin Clifford, who scored his eighth rushing TD and passed the 1,000-yard rushing mark this season.

"We've been able to run the ball a little bit. We can spread the field and throw and defensively and our special teams were good again tonight," Naperville Central coach Mike Stine said. "It was a great team effort. To beat a great team you have to be strong in all three phases."

The Redhawks led 7-3 at halftime on Clifford's 8-yard TD run late in the first quarter after Michael Kolzow's 30-yard punt return to the 27.

Lake Park reached the red zone on two consecutive possessions in the second quarter but settled for VanAswegen's 25-yard field goal. The other drive ended with a tipped pass intercepted by Garrett Purdy at the 7.

"We had two drives (there) with either drops or a penalty of two," Lake Park coach Chris Roll said. "We had to put a touchdown on the board in the first half. We can't give a team that wants to do what they want to do the chance to do it because they're good at it. I don't think we had the right attitude to start the game to be honest."

On the Redhawks' first drive of the second half, Clifford was hit, jarring the ball loose, and the Lancers' Antonio Chenault recovered. But Lake Park followed with a three-and-out and the Redhawks answered with their 69-yard TD drive.

Last year Schweikart moved for two games at linebacker to defensive end after a season-ending knee injury to Cole Wooldridge. Now he's handling his added duties on offense.

"That's our big personnel (set) when we get down there," Stine said. "It's nice to have some athletes. When you've got them, you've got to give them the ball."

In the first half Joyce attempted just three passes, all incomplete. He was 5-for-7 in the second half for 57 yards.

"One of the strengths of this team is we like to do what the defense gives us. Having Cliff(ord) and the O-line doing as great as they do really opens up the pass game," Joyce said. "Just a credit to the coaching staff, just a great call when they thought a run was coming. Joe was wide open."

The Redhawks hadn't won a conference title since their three-peat from 1999-2001. That included the 1999 6A state title in the final year of six-class playoffs and 8A state runner-up in 2001.

They now must win at home against Wheaton Warrenville South (4-4, 3-1), fighting for its playoff lives besides a DVC title share. Naperville Central won the teams' non-conference meeting 10-7 in Week 4.

"Our goal was to be DVC champs and Wheaton South won tonight so next week is going to be for the DVC championship," Joyce said.

The Lancers need to win at Wheaton North (3-5, 2-2) to guarantee a trip to the playoffs, especially because they might not have enough playoff points. Lake Park lost to the Falcons 17-10 in Week 4 nonconference action.

"This is Week 1 of the playoffs for us," Roll said. "Usually you say that, but this is true. We're in charge or our own destiny so I'm kind of happy about that."

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