With star running back Kyle Griffith likely out for the season with a torn knee ligament, Paquette became the Redhawks' primary ballcarrier.

And the first thing Paquette did was show up for gym class.

After being academically ineligible last week for skipping gym, Paquette was a smash hit in his tailback debut, rushing for 160 yards and three touchdowns Friday night in No. 2 Naperville Central's 35-0 victory over Naperville North (4-3, 2-3) before a crowd of more than 14,000 at North Central College.

"I'm more of a power runner, but I couldn't help but put a few moves on some of the North kids," said Paquette, who was shifted from his usual position at fullback. "I was running like a fullback from the halfback position. My offensive line was great and opened up some huge holes for me."

Griffith, who is still hoping to return late in the playoffs, watched his replacement from the sideline. "Jason had an outstanding game," Griffith said. "Will I show him some of my moves? There's not much I have to teach him."

After battling to a scoreless tie in the first half, Naperville Central (7-0, 5-0 in the DuPage Valley) erupted with four touchdowns in the third quarter. Paquette struck first with a 37-yard touchdown run, and quarterback Phil Horvath followed up with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Tyke Spencer. That score was set up by Horvath's 44-yard pass play to Dan Passarelli.

A fumble recovery by Pat Watson, who also had a sack, led to Paquette's 7-yard touchdown run. Just before the end of the quarter, Horvath hooked up with Passarelli on a 52-yard TD pass play. Central piled up 229 yards in the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Paquette broke free on a 57-yard TD run.

"Naperville North played great in the first half," Paquette said. "We came out a lot more intense to start the third quarter. When we hit them with all those touchdowns, they kind of shut down."

Horvath completed 14-of-21 passes for 231 yards and the two TDs. Spencer, who participated in a special pregame ceremony for his grandfather, caught five passes for 75 yards and a TD, while Passarelli had four receptions for 102 yards and a score. Brady Hester, Dave Atkinson and Nick Ehrlich led the Redhawks' defense.

Much more than a high school football game, this annual showdown between Naperville Central and Naperville North has become a big-time event. And beginning Friday, it had a formal name: The Wes Spencer Crosstown Classic.

Wes Spencer, who died last January, coached and taught at both schools over a 30-year span. His grandson, Tyke, could feel the emotion building within as he lined up at wide receiver for Naperville Central. Older brother Brad, a sophomore wideout at North Central College, shared his little brother's sentiment.