Naperville Central vs. Naperville North
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Friday at North Central College, 30 N.
What to watch: How effective will No. 2 Naperville Central's
offense be without star running back Kyle Griffith, who is out for the
season with a torn knee ligament? Jason Paquette is expected to fill the
void along with Joel Barenbrugge.
Central quarterback Phil Horvath, who has passed for 1,038 yards and 13
touchdowns, will assume more of the offensive burden. His favorite targets
are receivers Tyke Spencer and Dan Passarelli, who are both averaging 20
yards per catch.
Naperville North will look to keep Naperville Central's offense idling on
the sideline with a deceptive double-wing running attack featuring Steve
Sarm, Mike Costantino and Corey McKeon. Naperville North's defense will be
out to contain Horvath & Co. behind DL Peter Hwang, LBs McKeon and David
Choi and DBs Bryan Vavruska, Mark Kieso and Sarm. Central's defense is led
by LBs Mike Lucas and Nick Ehrlich and DBs Dave Atkinson, Bob Siciliano and
Josh Rubin.
Bob Sakamoto's pick: Naperville Central.