By Kevin Schmit Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted on October 14, 2000
Judging by Friday night's performance in Naperville, the Redhawks will be in many more.
In front of an announced crowd of more than 15,000 at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium, No. 1 Naperville Central rolled to a 31-14
victory over previously unbeaten rival Naperville North.
Daily Herald Photo/ Ed Lee
If the defending state champion Redhawks were nervous heading into the
biggest regular-season game in the 26-year history of the rivalry, they didn't
show it.
After a scoreless first quarter, Naperville Central took control with a 21-point
second quarter. The Redhawks (8-0, 6-0 DuPage Valley), who wrapped up at
least a share of the conference title, eventually built a 28-0 lead midway through
the third quarter.
Redhawks junior tailback Kyle Griffith had 20 carries for 88 yards and the first
2 touchdowns. He also had 3 catches for 89 yards from junior quarterback Phil
Horvath (11 of 17, 171 yards, 2 touchdowns).
With a victory in the 31st meeting between the teams, Naperville Central now
has a 16-15 series edge over the fourth-ranked Huskies.
This was also the 22nd straight victory for the Redhawks.
"You have to be nervous playing in front of 15,000 fans, but we just had to
come out and play even harder," Griffith said. "The first quarter was a little
shaky. Luckily, we were able to score a couple of times in the second quarter
and put it away."
Griffith's scoring runs and Horvath's touchdown passes to fullback Matt Yellin
(8 carries, 41 yards) and receiver Kevin Noel (3 catches, 27 yards) gave the
Redhawks their 4-touchdown lead.
"They were just running down our throats, and we weren't stepping up," said
Huskies senior linebacker Steve Kasperski. "We just couldn't stop the big play."
Naperville North (7-1, 5-1) finally scored late in the third quarter when junior
Steve Sarm (15 carries, 90 yards) ran in from 8 yards out.
The Huskies moved the ball well against a Redhawks defense that started the
season with six straight shutouts. Naperville North piled up 260 yards of offense
but couldn't translate it into enough points.
The Redhawks had 311 yards of offense.
"I can't lie to you, this is really disappointing," said Huskies senior Andrew
Gordon. "We've just got to learn from it."
A 36-yard field goal by Kyle Adams boosted the Redhawks' lead to 31-6 early
in the fourth quarter. With less than two minutes to go, Naperville North's Kevin
Hahn, who returned from an ankle injury to play Friday, scored on a 2-yard run.
Huskies quarterback Jay McCareins (15 of 30, 116 yards) ran in the 2-point
conversion to put the final at 31-14.
"The emotions were running high, it was unbelievable," Horvath said of the
atmosphere. "Everyone knew we had to be calm, though. We didn't let it bother
us."