SUN CORRESPONDENT

The Naperville Central Redhawks jumped on the back of senior Jason Paquette and rode him to a 26-7 victory over the Conant Cougars on Saturday at Hoffman Estates in the Class 8A quarterfinals.

Paquette scored three touchdowns, carrying the ball 24 times for 184 yards.

"We wanted to make it a physical game and pound it at them," Paquette said. The offensive line dominated the smaller Cougars, allowing the Redhawks to move the ball methodically downfield. Central finished with 272 yards rushing. Freshman Eric Small had eight carries for 21 yards, and junior Joel Barenbrugge added six carries for 24 yards.

"We thought we could run the ball tonight, and we're putting it all together," coach Joe Bunge said.

Quarterback Phil Horvath added 35 rushing yards of his own while going 6-of-12 for 120 yards passing against the Cougars.

Central's defense was less accommodating. Conant managed just 16 rushing yards in the second half to go with 106 passing yards, finishing with 152 yards of total offense.

The Redhawks defense technically recorded their fourth shutout - the Cougars' only score came on a 55-yard fumble return by Davis Francioni in the fourth quarter.

The Redhawks (12-0) dominated the first half, scoring on their first two possessions. Paquette plowed his way through the Cougars defense for 114 yards on 19 carries. The senior capped off the opening drive with a 5-yard

touchdown run. The Redhawks went 75 yards on 12 plays while taking nearly six minutes off the clock.

Paquette struck again early in the second quarter when he bowled his way from 2 yards out into the end zone. That score capped off a 13-play, 84-yard drive and gave the Redhawks a 13-0 advantage.

The defense was equally dominant, holding the Cougars (9-3) to 30 yards of total offense in the first half. Naperville Central had allowed an average 7.9 points per game entering Saturday's quarterfinal matchup.

The win sets up a semifinal game against fellow DuPage Valley Conference team and 20th seed Wheaton North, a winner over No. 21 Warren. The Redhawks beat the Falcons 35-14 on Sept. 21, earning coach Joe Bunge his 200th career victory.

Central, which captured the state title in 1999, returns to the semifinal round after an abrupt departure in the quarterfinals of last year's playoffs thanks to cross-town rival Naperville North.

A victory over Wheaton North would send the Redhawks to the state final game against the winner of the semifinal match between Maine South and Downers Grove South. Maine South (12-0) captured the 2000 Class 6A state title.

"We're looking forward to having another week of practice, and we're just glad we get to play again next week," Bunge said. "The DuPage Valley Conference will definitely be represented in the state final."