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Vernon Hills vs. Niles North suspended

Vernon Hills' homecoming theme was "Superheroes".

Cougars junior running back Ryan Mann was in the running to emerge as one in a Central Suburban League North football opener against visiting Niles North Friday night.

But threatening weather stole Mann's thunder.

VH led 7-0 with 6:43 left in the first quarter when lightning was detected in the area, forcing all to seek shelter for at least 30 minutes. School officials opted later to suspend the game.

Play resumes Saturday at noon.

On the second play from scrimmage Friday - in a game that started two hours earlier than originally scheduled - Mann rushed 69 yards to the Vikings' 2-yard line. His next carry went for 1 yard. His third tote resulted in a 1-yard touchdown at 10:07.

Junior Shane Moncayo kicked the extra point.

VH senior quarterback Thomas Monken tossed an 11-yard pass to sophomore wideout Jake Pieper on the first play of the night. Monken (2-for-3, 21 yards) connected with senior wideout Giovanni Zullo for a 10-yard gain on the Cougars' second possession.

VH, which entered the contest 3-1, limited Niles North (2-2) to 2 yards on the visitors' lone possession. Senior defensive lineman Bradley Gothelf dropped a Vikings ball carrier for a 1-yard loss on third-and-7.

Senior Jackson Wiegold produced the Cougars' other highlight, hustling downfield on a short kickoff to stop Niles North's kick returner in his tracks at North's 36-yard line.

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