By John Lemon DAILY HERALD SPORTS WRITER
Posted on September 30, 2000
The clock ticked down on another Naperville Central victory
Friday night - the 20th straight for the defending state champs - but
it didn't move as fast as it usually does.
For just the second time in six games, Wheaton North kept
Naperville Central from a 40-point win, and the running
second-half clock that goes with it.
The Redhawks still rolled to a 34-0 victory on Wheaton North's
homecoming. The 34-point spread was the closest margin of
the year against Naperville Central, another sign of just how dominant the
Redhawks (6-0, 4-0) have been.
"Wheaton North really came out hard," Redhawks fullback Matt Yellin said. "I
don't think we took them lightly. Their record doesn't show how good they are."
Yellin had a career night with 2 rushing touchdowns and another receiving. He
scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter and 55-yard burst in the second for a
13-0 lead.
Quarterback Phil Horvath (6 of 16 for 186 yards) threw a pair of touchdowns,
including a 62-yarder to Kevin Noel (3 catches, 111 yards) in the third quarter
that put Naperville Central ahead 27-0.
"They are a tremendous team," Wheaton North coach Matt Foster said. "They
have good athletes and are well coached. But our kids came in trying to win. I
think we played a heck of a game."
The 20th straight win wasn't the only streak Naperville Central kept alive. The
Redhawks increased their shutout streak to six games, 24 quarters and 288
minutes.
That scoreless streak nearly came to an end on a bizarre final play of the first
half.
The Falcons (1-5, 0-4 in the DVC) mounted their best drive of the night on their
last possession of the first half. When Mike Lindberg caught a 14-yard pass to
put the Falcons at the Naperville Central 47-yard line, the Redhawks faithful
began cheering for their defense like it was a goal-line stand.
Wheaton North pushed closer on 2 more completions by quarterback Chris
Terrazas (9 of 22 for 108 yards). Faced with fourth down and just 4 seconds
left in the half, Mark Slocum lined up for a 41-yard field goal.
Josh Rubin broke through the line to block the kick. The ball bounced to the
holder Terrazas, who lofted a desperation pass across the field to the kicker
Slocum.
Slocum dodged one tackler and appeared to have a clear path for the end zone.
But Ryan Amberson hustled all the way, and caught Slocum at the 5-yard line as
the first half expired.
"That was a great play by Rubin to block the kick, and a great play by
Amberson to keep the (scoreless) streak going," Yellin said.
Naperville Central punter Kyle Adams showed the special teams game also is
working well, booting 55-, 51- and 49-yard punts.
Andy Cvengros gained 90 well-earned rushing yards on 30 carries for Wheaton
North.