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St. Charles North stops WW South

A loss for words is understandable in uncharted territory.

St. Charles North became the first team in the city's prep football history to advance to the state semifinals with Saturday's 21-10 victory at Wheaton Warrenville South.

The North Stars, who lost 13-11 to WW South in DuKane Conference play in the regular-season finale, will play Mt. Carmel with a trip to the Class 7A title game hanging in the balance.

"It's just a dream come true," said North Stars junior Kyler Brown, who continues to play quarterback for injured older brother Peyton. "I didn't expect this to happen, and you know who I'm doing this for. I can't really explain my feelings right now."

The 22nd-seeded North Stars (9-3) led for good after a pair of first-half touchdowns gave them a 14-7 halftime advantage. Brown threw a 36-yard first-quarter touchdown pass to Tyler Nubin to knot the game 7-7, and then Nick DeMarco burst into the end zone from 33 yards out in the second quarter.

DeMarco rushed for 138 yards on 31 carries while Minnesota-bound Nubin had 4 catches for 96 yards and rushed for 77 yards out of the Wildcat.

"Unbelievable feeling," Nubin said. "We've been talking about getting in that elite category in the state all year, and we did that today. We made the history books."

Fourteenth-seeded WW South (10-2) opened the scoring with a 3-yard first-quarter touchdown run by Jake Arthurs. The Tigers narrowed the gap to 14-10 late in the third quarter on a 47-yard field goal by Jack Olsen, his 22nd of the season.

The backbreaking play came early in the fourth quarter when, on fourth-and-2, Brown found Nubin again for a 31-yard touchdown pass that boosted the lead to 21-10.

"We knew they were going to battle all the way through," said Arthurs, who rushed for 36 yards. "I'm proud of our seniors and our team. We wanted to bring the tradition back. Obviously not the result we wanted, but 10-2 this year is something to build on."

St. Charles North's defense allowed only 150 total yards. Tigers quarterback Noah Henkel threw for 90 yards while Brown threw for 134.

"The goal of our program is to give kids experiences they'll never forget," said North Stars coach Rob Pomazak. "I certainly think these young men have earned it."

WW South - after three straight 2-7 seasons - returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Saturday's loss broke a six-game winning streak.

"I love this senior class," said Tigers coach Ron Muhitch. "Our kids compete. We're not the biggest group of athletes on the field, but they play with great hearts and great championship spirit."

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  Wheaton Warrenville South's Noah Henkel tries to find a way as St. Charles North's Ben Furtney tries to stop him late in the first half Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Jack Olsen tries to get around St. Charles North's Ryan Thiesse in the second quarter Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Tyler Fawcett grabs the facemark of St. Charles North's Ethan Romero as he makes a one-handed catch for a first down in the second quarter Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. A penalty was called on Romero. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Fans reacts at Wheaton Warrenville South's Tyler Fawcett comes down with a first-down catch in the second quarter against St. Charles North Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Joe Ives intercepts a pass intended for St. Charles North's Alec Kritta in the second quarter Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Nicholas DeMarco is lifted by teammate Alex Westendorf after his second quarter touchdown run against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Lauden Dome dives but can't stop St. Charles North's Nicholas DeMarco from a long touchdown run Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Jake Arthurs is stopped by St. Charles North's Ethan Romero Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Tyler Nubin is met by teammates in the end zone after his first-quarter touchdown catch against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Jake Arthurs reacts after his ling catch in the first quarter that led to a touchdown on the next play against St. Charles North Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Jake Arthurs reacts after his first quarter touchdown against St. Charles North Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Tyler Nubin celebrates with teammates after the North Stars defeated Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Ben Furtney and Peyton Brown celebrate the North Stars win against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Tyler Nubin hugs quarterback Peyton Brown after the North Stars win against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Tyler Nubin turns to the sidelines in the final seconds of the North Stars win against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Warrenville South's Noah Henkel tries to find a way as St. Charles North's Ben Furtney tries to stop him late in the first half Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Egon Hein reacts after intercepting a pass late in the game to preserve a win against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Nicholas DeMarco carries the ball against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Alec Kritta can't make a catch as Wheaton Warrenville South's Zach Powell closes in Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's John Williams, II contains Wheaton Warrenville South quarterback Noah Henkel Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North quarterback Peyton Brown throws against Wheaton Warrenville South Saturday in a quarterfinal playoff football game in Wheaton. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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