Mustangs Know DGN Always a Tough Test

Looking ahead to Friday's battle of Downers Grove, Mustangs coach John Belskis tossed out the customary cliche about throwing out the records when these two rivals square off.

But with both teams taking to the field Friday at Downers Grove North with 1-2 records, the game is critical as neither squad wants to drop to 1-3 and find itself scrambling to get back into playoff contention.

After South pounded Leyden 41-0 in Friday's WSC Gold opener, the Mustangs will take a little confidence into the showdown. North, meanwhile, dropped a 35-28 shootout with Lyons Township to fall to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the league.

"After playing two good teams and having a chance to beat them and not being able to do that, a win like this hopefully builds some confidence," Belskis said. "But, as I told our kids, the last thing we need is to get comfortable from something like this.

"We can build on it,  but we've got a real tough game next week against a tough Downers North team. It's a must win for them as it is for us."

South quarterback A.J. Simoncelli knows the Mustangs  expect to make the playoffs each year even like last season when they also started 0-2 before winning nine straight. "I feel a lot more confident now that we got our first win," he said after passing for 122 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles. "I feel like we can win the next six and get into the playoffs pretty well."

Defensive linemen Justin Norwood, who helped blank Leyden in Week 3, credits the Mustangs staff with putting the players in the best position to win.

"Everyone worked hard and everyone put in the time this week to prepare," the 6-foot, 275-pound senior said. "Everything clicked and we have an amazing coaching staff that prepares us well."