CN100 Game of the Week Football Preview: Week 6 - Naperville North vs. Naperville Central

NAPERVILLE – The annual crosstown battle between Naperville Central and Naperville North at North Central College is always a game filled with intrigue for this football-crazed town.
As usual, the game has significant ramifications for both sides. The 7:30 p.m. Friday tilt will be shown by CN100, The Comcast Network, at Noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7. You can also see the game any time with Xfinity On Demand.
For Central, the intra-city clash is a chance for the defending Class 8A state champions to continue its four-game winning streak and cement itself as the team to beat in the DuPage Valley Conference. For North, it is a matter of survival.
“This is a great community event,” Central coach Mike Stine said. “This is always an exciting game. This year looks to be no different. We will need to control both sides of the ball at the line of scrimmage to give our playmakers a chance to make plays.”
Central (4-1, 1-0) shook off a season-opening loss to Waubonsie Valley to win four straight, including the DVC opener against Glenbard North last week, 28-14. Senior tailback Kevin Clifford has handled the heavy baggage in the backfield, picking up 477 yards and four touchdowns on 98 carries.
Junior quarterback Conor Joyce has hung in there, going 45-for-81 for 520 yards and a touchdown, but with five interceptions, while adding two rushing touchdowns. In the passing game, Joyce’s main target has been senior receiver Mike Kolzow with 23 catches for 353 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, senior safety Rick Hatton has been a force with two interceptions, including a 96-yard touchdown return.
“Turnovers will play a huge part in this game,” Stine said.
North (2-3, 0-1) is in a slide that might keep them out of the playoffs for the first time in 18 years. The Huskies have reached the postseason in 27 of the past 28 years overall.
Those streaks are in jeopardy after three consecutive losses. It started with a shocking 40-7 loss to Phillips. Then a narrow 20-19 loss to Glenbard North compounded it. Last Friday, Lake Park was dominant, leading by as many as four touchdowns in the DVC opener before winning 35-21.
“You’ve got to play better,” North coach Sean Drendel said after the game. “They’ll bounce back. It’s whether we play well or not. The kids are resilient.”
The Huskies might have found an answer at quarterback as senior Evan Kujawski came in to the Lake Park in the second half and got North going by completing 15-of-32 passes for 217 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
His main target was the man he replaced under center, Chris Gajcak, who has filled up the stat sheet for North this season. He boasts a team-high 313 rushing yards and two touchdowns, completed 26-of-53 passes for 335 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions, and he’s also caught five passes for 79 yards and two scores.
Mikey Caldarrazo leads the run game with 220 yards and three touchdowns on 48 carries. Morgan Osborne offers a dual threat with108 yards on the ground and six catches for 142 yards and two scores through the air. D’Angelo Hyshaw is the leading receiver with 10 catches for 114 yards and a TD.
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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