Naperville Central's defense will protect team, reputation in finals

By Brad Engel
STAFF WRITER

  Don't think everything's fine and dandy over at Naperville Central.

  While a 48-20 state semifinal victory on paper looks comforting to the hootin' and hollerin' fan, more work needs to be done on the field to ensurethe Downers Grove South Underdogs, more commonly known as the Mustangs, don't spoil the fun with their potent offense.

  The only thing that stands in the way of a first-place state trophy for the No. 11 seed? The Redhawks' defense.

  "They're kind of a quiet group," Central defensive coordinator John Urban said. "You get all the excitement out of them when they play. That's when you get to see all the tools of the trade."

  These guys take heads off on the field — senior linebacker Mike Lucas, senior linebacker Nick Ehrlich and senior safety Bob Siciliano among the best. After the game, they're nearly shy, saving the grunting and snarling for the movies and answering questions in such a calm, soft demeanor you wonder if any were chess champions in a former life. That's not the problem though. That's just their quiet intelligence. Their way of acting classy.

  Lately though, Urban's Craftsmen have performed more like a set of tools from the dollar store — on early possessions.In the playoffs, Central has allowed 20 of its 39 points within the first three possessions of the games.

  "We've got to start out the game a little better defensively," said Urban after a 26-7 win against Conant in the quarterfinals. "First drives, they've been moving the ball. We held them to field goals, but we want to do better. We want to get better from start to finish."

  Then Central allows Wheaton North back-to-back touchdowns on their first two possessions last week, handing a Central team with little comeback experience a 14-0 deficit in the biggest game of their lives on a field prone to playoff losses. If that's not serious heading into the state finals against a Downers' team averaging 35 points per game and 315 yards per game, then what is?

  Urban seeks perfection, something this Redhawks group has steadily sought and nearly attained each and every week, proven by their play and their coaching staff's proud remarks. Don't think for a minute last year's six consecutive shutouts were merely icing on the cake for Urban.

  This year, Central allows an average of 8.8 points per game. His players keep quiet, perform on the field and don't accept one inkling of a good performance as something to cheer about afterward. If only this group could shut down an offense three-and-out from the start, hand the ball to the offense and grab a breather before the next possession, everyone could smile a little faster and a little easier.

  The Redhawks will have to find a way to stop the Mustangs on Saturday night at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium. The Mustangs lit up No. 2 seed Maine South for 35 points. Maine South had not allowed consecutive scoring drives until Week 9 and entered the semifinals, allowing only six points per game. And after watching the Redhawks spot Wheaton North a 14-0 lead, the notion for perfection becomes all that more serious.

  "We were a little too hyped up at the start of the game," Lucas said about playing their DuPage Valley Conference rival last week. "We're not a real emotional team. We tend to stay more low key and take care of business."

  Again, this defense ranks below no other in the state, and its ability to respond to mistakes marvels many so the Redhawks should use Urban's only get-out-of-jail free card this week and find the right level of emotion for the start against Downers South.

  As for this Saturday, the Redhawks should think shutout at Memorial Stadium or else Downers South quarterback Mike Cuzzone (100-for-171, 1,786 yards, 23 touchdowns), running backs Erick Newman (217-1,116, 10 TDs) and Bob Nakielny (135-821, 18 TDs), and wide receiver Kent Hughes (41-923, 12 TDs) will put on a clinic.

  Is it possible? Yes, unless Central maintains its current course. Central's defense allows an average of 227 yards per game (less than 100 rushing), has 19 interceptions this year and has caused 14 fumbles. Last week, senior defensive end and linebacker Dave Atkinson recorded two sacks, one for a loss of three yards and one for a loss of 10. At the other end, junior Brady Hester blocked two passes as he solidifies a starting job for next season. Often lost in the mix, senior tackles Ryan Senica and Pat Watson and junior nose guard Andy Crowder, all managed a tackle or two and even more-important blocks to keep the linebackers free and ready to pound.

  Central's offense will come out and score five touchdowns as long as they have the time and the possessions so the Redhawks' defense should do nothing but give it to them and, in return, bring to Naperville a first-place state trophy.

  Not a bad gift for the perfect conclusion to a perfect season from a near-perfect defense.

 BY THE NUMBERSnumber:25 Senior outside linebacker Dave Atkinson, No. 25, recorded two sacks, one in the second quarter for minus 3 yards and one in the fourth quarter for minus 10 yards. Both led to punts.number:51 The Sun's Defensive Player of the Week last week, No. 51 Brady Hester, showed more value at the linebacker position this week with two blocked passes.

11/21/01