St. Charles North heads into its seventh straight postseason appearance after a solid victory against a program that was fighting for its playoff life last Friday.
The North Stars went into Naperville and left Neuqua Valley with a 20-0 victory and the Wildcats' playoff hopes as well. Neuqua, despite 54 playoff points, won't be playing a 10th game for the first time since 2001.
North's defense stole the show as it recorded four interceptions and held the Wildcats and their high-octane passing attack to only 167 total yards. The North Stars also became the first team to hold Neuqua scoreless since Bartlett accomplished the feat back in 2003, a span of 57 games.
"That was a very good win for us," North coach Mark Gould said. "To go down there and beat a team like that -- one that's on a pedestal, if you will -- is really something. We've had an up-and-down team this season. But their attitude was good all week and they got that win."
Now North turns it attention to a postseason date at Crystal Lake South on Friday. The Gators will be the third Fox Valley Conference Valley Division opponent of the season for the North Stars.
North lost to Cary-Grove 24-21 in its season opener before beating McHenry 26-12 in Week 2. Crystal Lake South also lost to Cary-Grove and beat McHenry.
-- R.J. Gerber and Erik Jacobsen
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