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Didier, St. Charles North get it done

St. Charles North quarterback Nathan Didier scored 3 touchdowns, including the clincher with :21 left to help defeat host Rolling Meadows 34-22 in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs on Saturday night.

"You better believe that this was sweet," said Didier. "It just feels so good to be part of what I hope is the beginning of a new legacy at St. Charles North."

The ninth-seeded North Stars (8-2) tied the school record for wins in a season. The outcome also avenged a 34-30 loss to the Mustangs (7-3) in the 2004 playoffs.

St. Charles took full advantage of Mustangs errors and turnovers in building a 20-0 lead in the third quarter and a 28-6 lead with 6:57 left in the game.

Didier put the first points on the board with a 2-yard run on a bootleg right play with 9:37 left in the first half for a 7-0 lead. That finished a 71-yard, 10-play drive.

Didier completed a 25-yard pass to Blake Kastein, and a 21-yard run by Dominick Sidari keyed the drive.

Defensive back Nick Zamenick came up with a interception at the North Stars 40 on the Mustangs' next possession after the kickoff to set up a 60-yard, 12-play drive.

Sophomore Eric Lins (24 carries, 66 yards) scored the first of two touchdows on a 4 yard run. Zamenick threw the key block on the play to make it 14-0.

A Mustangs fumble on their next possession and the recovery by Dalton Young at Rolling Meadows 29 set up the next score.

Didier (14 carries, 68 yards) scored from the 1 for a 20-6 lead. Didier completed 3 passes on the drive for 29 yards.

Didier was 15-for-25 passing with 1 interception and threw for 149 of St. Charles North's 324 yards.

"Our defense played well in the first half," said Rolling Meadows coach Matt Mishler. "We were hoping to come out in the second half and get some points on the board, but that didn't happen."

The Mustangs had a strong comeback to pull within 28-22 with 2:07 left in the game.

Antonio Atencio scored for the Mustangs from 3 yards out with :05 left in the third quarter to make the score 20-6.

After Lins' 2-yard run with 6:57 left in the game for a 28-6 Stars lead, Meadows quarterback RJ Mattucci connected with Jack O'Neill on a 71 yard scoring pass. Mattucci's 2-point conversion made the score 28-16.

Mattucci (15-for-25, 1 int., 206 yards) connected with Jack Swindells on a 42 yard pass just over the goal line with two defenders guarding him. A Mattucci pass to O'Neil pulled Rolling Meadows to within 28-22.

Didier scored the clincher on third-and-10 from the Mustangs 46 to break Rolling Meadows' back.

"We knew that they would come with a lot of pressure tonight," said Didier. "I knew I would have to react quickly and make a quick decision on our plays."

"It was a designed play," said North Stars coach Rob Pomazak. "It was a counter on that play. They loaded up the left side with linebackers. The hole opened up on the right side, and he was gone. Nate came up big for us. He has stepped up for us all year.

"At halftime we talked about the seniors stepping up to make the plays. I am so proud of these players. They have played for each other all year. I'm just glad to be playing next week. and at home."

Top seeded Cary-Grove (10-0) will be the North Stars' next opponent.

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