Football Friday 2019 Week 6
We are into October and Football Friday 2019 Week 6 is here. No lightning delays this week, just lower temperatures and the usual competitive football action!
Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley
We begin with one of the most highly anticipated games of the season with Naperville Central facing Neuqua Valley. The Wildcats with the best record in the DVC but the Redhawks can get right back into the race with a win.
Near the end of the 2nd quarter and Sam Jackson find Bo Turner from 8 yards out to erase a 3-0 deficit. Redhawks take a 7-3 lead.
Less than a minute before halftime and Mark Gronowski answers with a TD pass of his own, this one to Patrick Hoffman as Neuqua Valley takes a 10-7 lead into halftime.
Middle of the third quarter, Wildcats up 13-7. Sam Jackson with a quick pass to Jadon Thompson and the Illinois recruit does the rest, makes a man miss, shakes two tackles and 65 yards later it’s a 14-13 Naperville Central lead.
Into the 4th quarter, Wildcats drive over 80 yards to the Naperville Central one yard line and today we spell redemption MARK. Mark Gronowski who threw a pick six in last year’s loss to Central scores from a yard out to put Neuqua up 19-14.
The Wildcats go for the pooch kick on the ensuing kickoff, the Redhawks cough it up and Neuqua Valley hangs on for a huge win to stay undefeated in DVC play.
Metea Valley at Naperville North
Two teams looking to keep their playoff pulses pumping as Metea Valley travels to Naperville North. The Huskies and Mustangs both come into the game with 1-4 records after tough losses a week ago.
Early in the game, Metea Valley moving well thanks to the Frederick brothers, Logan at QB and Austin at tight end. CJ Wilcox also doing what he does best, scoring touchdowns. Two of them in the first half and three in the game as we go into halftime tied up at 14.
But in the 2nd half, Naperville North takes off on offense behind Anthony Gabrione and the ever-dangerous Matt Maschmeier. First Gabrione hits Stephan Williams from 23 yards out to give the Huskies the lead.
Then in the 4th, Gabrione hits Maschmeier from 39 yards out. 4th touchdown of the game for Maschmeier. Unreal. Naperville North comes back to win 41-21.
Waubonsie Valley at Dekalb
Waubonsie Valley in drastic need of a W after three consecutive losses. The Warriors travel northwest to Dekalb to face the Barbs for the first time since the two schools competed as Upstate 8 conference members.
In the 2nd quarter, Dekalb leading 7-0 when the Barbs connect on a 51 yard touchdown. Trenton Kyler to Trenton McCollum and it’s a 14-0 lead at halftime.
The Warriors were able to move the ball all game long, but turnovers prevented any scoring through three quarters, as Dekalb continued to build a lead.
Late in the 4th, senior running back Bryce Logan gets his team on the board with his first TD of the year, but it’s too little too late for Waubonsie. Dekalb takes the win 34-7.
Benet Academy at St. Laurence
Benet Academy comes into the night as the area’s lone unbeaten team, but a tough challenge awaits on the road against CCL/ESCC Orange division rival St. Laurence.
The Redwings get on board first thanks to the legs of quarterback Colin Gillespie, he takes it in from 9 yards out to make it 7-0 Benet.
The Vikings battle back with a pair of long touchdown runs, this one from Nate Thomas goes 72 yards down the sidelines, eventually tying the game at 14 apiece at halftime.
Despite three second half turnovers, Benet with the ball trailing 17-14 in the 4th. Colin Gillespie hits Luka Hall for the go ahead touchdown from just over twenty yards out. The Redwings defense takes it from there as Benet holds on for a gritty 21-17 road victory.
Standings & Schedules
Benet fans have to love the look of the CCL/ESCC Orange Division standings, as the Redwings stay perfect at 6-0. Nazareth just behind at 5-1 while St. Laurence and De La Salle remain tied for third at 3-3.
Just look at this Week 7 schedule for the CCL/ESCC Orange Division. That is about as tough as it gets with all four teams on the road against perennial powers. Benet travels to Loyola next Saturday, Nazareth heads to Marist, De La Salle is at Mt. Carmel and St. Laurence is at Brother Rice.
The DVC Standings finds Neuqua Valley in the catbird seat at 5-1 overall and a perfect 3-0 in conference. A jumble in the middle fighting for 2nd place with Naperville Central, Naperville North and Waubonsie Valley still holding on to playoff hope, but their backs are against the wall.
The DVC Week 7 schedule sees Naperville Central on the road against another Valley school, this time it’s Waubonsie. Neuqua Valley is finished with home games for the regular season as the Wildcats travel to Metea Valley. And Naperville North heads out to Dekalb. Only three weeks left in the regular season, we’ll see you back next week for another edition of Football Friday. I’m Justin Cornwell, thanks for watching!
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