Naperville Central quarterback Owen Daniels, 
surprisingly, leads the way as Naperville takes a 
28-10 halftime lead on Schaumburg 

By Scott Merkin 
Tribune Staff Writer 

November 27, 1999 

CHAMPAIGN - In a battle in Saturday night's Class 6A final 
between the two top tailbacks in the state, Naperville 
Central's Ryan Clifford and Schaumburg's Jason Hawkins, the 
surprising winner was Naperville Central quarterback Owen 
Daniels. 

The junior scored on a 1-yard plunge, set up by Clifford's 
running, and threw two touchdown passes, giving the 
Redhawks a 28-10 lead at half. 

Daniels threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Pat Hinsberger 
and followed with a 58-yard strike to Clifford, who 
outjumped defensive back Eric VonSchaumburg for the ball, 
with 6 minutes 15 seconds to play before half. Along with 
the reception, Clifford rushed for 107 yards, returned a 
kickoff 59 yards and scored on a 1-yard run just four 
seconds before the half, giving him 49 touchdowns this 
season. 

The Saxons scored on a 1-yard run by Hawkins and a 46-yard 
field goal by Brian Huffman, a new Class 6A state record. 
Hawkins rushed for 84 yards. 

Just call Naperville Central coach Joe Bunge 'The Gambler.' 
On the first series of the game, with his team facing a 
4th-and-2 from its own 28, Bunge went for the first down. 
Clifford gained 3 yards. 

Joe Haavig had the hit of the half for Naperville Central. 
His helmet-to-football shot on Cliff Pawlak caused a fumble 
and stopped a Schaumburg drive deep in Naperville territory 
in the second quarter. 


Copyright 2000 ChicagoSports.com 

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http://www.chicagosports.com/preps/content/story/0,1984,57577,00.html

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