No one expected anything less than a fight to the bitter end from this Neuqua Valley football team, even after Maine South had taken a 14-0 lead in the third quarter of Saturday night’s Class 8A quarterfinal in Naperville. Sure enough the Wildcats, with a proud and talented group of senior leaders, fought hard to the very end before coming up just short in a thrilling, yet gut-wrenching 14-13 defeat to the 11-1 Hawks, who will take on Marist in next weekend’s state semifinal action.

Here’s a look at the football matchups in DuPage County for the quarterfinal round, including IC Catholic Prep hosting Princeton and Wheaton North traveling to Willowbrook in Class 7A, among others.

Jalen McGee’s return from an ankle injury has only made Neuqua Valley’s 10-1 football team even more dangerous.

Thanks to its ability to overcome some early game jitters third-seeded Neuqua Valley (10-1) was able to overcame host Palatine 31-8 at Chic Anderson Stadium in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs Saturday to advance to next weekend’s quarterfinal round versus No. 6 Maine South (10-1), a 21-18 winner over Plainfield North (8-3) in Park Ridge Saturday afternoon.

Here’s a look at the second round of playoffs for DuPage County, including Naperville Central trying to upset Loyola and Glenbard North hoping to solve Warren’s elite defense, among others.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines going into the second round of the playoffs, including an impressive showing by Naperville Central’s defense and special teams last week, and Rocco Luczak coming up big for Willowbrook’s special teams, among others.

Neuqua Valley running back Jaden McGee knew there was rain in the forecast and he knew that meant the Wildcats coaches might just feed him the ball a little more than usual. He was right, and he took advantage of the opportunities he got against Bartlett in the Class 8A playoff opener in Naperville. McGee gained 109 yards and 2 touchdowns — all in the first half — as the 9-1 Wildcats pounded the visiting Hawks 60-7 to move onto the second round.

Here’s a look at the second round of playoffs for DuPage County teams, including Naperville Central and Naperville North in a rematch of a 38-27 Huskies win during the regular season, among others.

It’s been a true team effort to help elevate Dennis Mandala’s game. But it’s paying major dividends for the IC Catholic Prep football team. The Knights were top ranked in Class 3A most of this season, though they did sustain a tough loss to St. Francis 19-7 last Friday. They are 8-1 overall and won the Metro Suburban Blue with a 5-0 record, all behind Mandala, a sophomore quarterback.

The IHSA football playoffs are always special. After all, not every team makes it. Those who do have to earn their way. But this year’s playoffs are extra special, of course. After the reality check that was 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced an abbreviated season to last spring, minus a postseason.

Naperville North won the league title with a 34-32 victory over previously undefeated Neuqua Valley on an 18-yard touchdown run as time expired by junior quarterback Aidan Gray.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 9, including Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West playing for the West Suburban Silver title, and Naperville North and Neuqua Valley meeting for the DVC crown.

Taking a look at some of the top storylines in DuPage County heading into Week 9, including a big game for Ethan Robert and the Naperville North Huskies, and looking ahead to Saturday’s playoff pairings night.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 8, including Wheaton North looking for a 7th win when it hosts Geneva, and a matchup between a pair of 6-1 teams in the Upstate Eight when Glenbard South takes on Glenbard East.

After going up against his own team’s defense all the time on the practice field, Neuqua Valley running back Jaden McGee is never surprised to see how well they play against opponents’ offenses.

Here’s a look at some of the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 7, including the annual battle for Wheaton bragging rights between the Tigers and Falcons, and undefeated York trying to avenge last spring’s shutout loss to Hinsdale Central.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines heading into Week 7 in DuPage County, including a couple big wins last weekend for Lisle and York.

Here’s a look at the best football matchups in DuPage County for Week 6, including undefeateds York and Glenbard West squaring off, Neuqua Valley taking its 5-0 record to Metea Valley, and Naperville North and Naperville Central renewing their rivalry, among others.

Here’s a look at some of the best storylines through the first five weeks of the regular season in DuPage County, including Willowbrook winning three straight games after an 0-2 start, among others.

Neuqua Valley defeated Naperville Central in the second overtime period in a battle of two of the top-ranked teams in Class 8A.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 5, including a pair of matchups between 4-0 teams — South Elgin against Glenbard East, and Glenbard North vs. Batavia. Also, 3-1 Naperville Central travels to 4-0 Neuqua Valley.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines through the first four weeks of the season, including an outstanding game for Wheaton North running back Brayton Maske last week when he ran for 210 yards against St. Charles North.

You can add special, special teams play to Palmer Domschke’s already varied list of accomplishments on the football field for Neuqua Valley. The talented kicker regularly blasts touchbacks into the end zone, booms punts deep down the field, and seems to be in on just about every tackle from his linebacker spot on a stout Wildcats defense.

Here's a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 4, including York taking its 3-0 record into a matchup at Downers Grove North who also is 3-0 this season.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines in DuPage County through the first three weeks of the season, including an impressive win for Wheaton Warrenville South last Friday against St. Charles North.

Here’s a look at some of the top storylines in DuPage County through the first three weeks of the season, including an impressive start by Glenbard East’s defense.

Here’s a look at the best football matchups in DuPage County for Week 3, including Downers Grove North facing off against Downers Grove South, and Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley traveling out of state to play.

Several DuPage Valley Conference teams will be headed out of state this weekend to play their football games. The reason for all the travel is the fact that there are only six schools in the DVC. Each school will play three nonconference games, including the long road trips.

Neuqua Valley quarterback Mark Mennecke tapped center Ryan Schaefer ever so slightly. With 8:30 remaining in the fourth quarter Friday in Wheaton, Mennecke took the sudden snap. The Wheaton Warrenville South defense was just getting set, but that was all the time — and space — the two-year starting signal-caller needed running straight up the A-gap.

Here’s a look at the best football matchups in DuPage County for Week 2, including Lincoln-Way East (1-0) visiting Naperville Central (1-0) and Glenbard North (1-0) traveling to Naperville North (1-0), among others.

Neuqua Valley defeated Oswego in a nonconference football game in Naperville.

Here’s a look at the best matchups in DuPage County for Week 1.

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Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Tommy Rittenhouse plays the final game in a memorable career at St. Francis on Friday.

Neuqua Valley defeated DeKalb 28-21 on Friday.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Naperville Central earned the No. 4 spot in this week’s Class 8A state rankings.

Neuqua Valley defeated Waubonsie Valley 34-12 on Saturday.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Here’s a look at this weekend’s football games in DuPage County.

Naperville Central’s football team will host Marmion Academy on Saturday instead of Neuqua Valley, after Neuqua had to cancel due to COVID-19 related protocols.

Naperville North tried to rally but couldn’t catch Neuqua Valley on Saturday.

Here's a look at this weekend's football games in DuPage County.

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