Quarterback Mike Cuzzone's touchdown pass to Kent Hughes in the final minute of play brought Downers Grove South back one last time, defeating Naperville Central 34-31 in the Class 8A state championship game Saturday night in Champaign.

After two previous runner-up finishes in the state title game, Downers Grove was not to be denied its first championship in school history. The Mustangs finished the season with a final record of 12-2.

Naperville Central's Redhawks, meanwhile, suffered their first loss of the season (and only the second defeat in their last 40 games), ending the 2001 campaign with an outstanding 13-1 mark.

They were seeking their second state football title in three years, having won the old Class 6A championship in 1999. The Redhawks also finished second in 6A in 1995.

Naperville Central fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter. That is just what the Redhawks did the previous week against Wheaton North in the semifinals, before storming back with 41 straight points to win 48-20.

Saturday, the Redhawks fought back again. They cut Downers South's lead to 28-23 in the fourth quarter, and a goal-line stand gave the Redhawks the ball with two minutes to play.

Quarterback Phil Horvath guided the Redhawks down the field, and his touchdown pass to Tyke Spencer seemingly completed the comeback, giving the Redhawks a 31-28 lead and sending the throng of red into a frenzy.

But the celebration was short-lived as the Cuzzone-to-Hughes combination put Downers Grove South's name on the winner's trophy and in state championship history annals.

Naperville Central's comeback kids did it again.

Downers Grove South's did too, and they did it just a little bit better, and a little bit later.

And as a result, the Mustangs were celebrating a 34-31 victory in the Class 8A state championship game Saturday night in Champaign, a victory that gave them the first state championship in school history after two previous title game appearances.

Naperville Central fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter. That is just what the Redhawks did the previous week against Wheaton North in the semifinals, and Naperville Central stormed back with 41 straight points to win 48-20.

The Redhawks fought back again. They cut Downers South's lead to 28-23 in the fourth quarter, and a goal-line stand gave the Redhawks the ball with two minutes to play.

Quarterback Phil Horvath guided Naperville Central down the field, and his touchdown pass to Tyke Spencer seemingly completed the comeback, giving the Redhawks a 31-28 lead and sending the throng of red into a frenzy.

This time, though, there would be no happy ending for Naperville. The Mustangs made all the big plays when they needed to, converting six of six fourth downs. Quarterback Mike Cuzzone's touchdown pass to Kent Hughes capped off the winning drive in the final minute, leaving Naperville Central with just its second loss in its last 40 games