One week after getting blown out by Wheaton Warrenville South, Naperville Central proved it could hang with one of the top teams in the state. The Redhawks entered the fourth quarter of the Wes Spencer Classic last week tied with Naperville North at 21, though the Huskies then struck for two big touchdowns.
Those scores came well after two Central defensive starters - tackle Mike Kraft and cornerback Kalen Petty - left the game with injuries. Petty, a special teams presence who has notched 40 total tackles, is expected to return Friday night at West Chicago while Central is being cautious with Kraft's ankle. The senior lineman with nine sacks and 47 total tackles is doubtful.
Central dropped hints about its potential coming off a 45-7 homecoming loss to WW South. As Central coach Mike Stine said Thursday: "You feel good about that because after you have a game like we did the week before, you never know how you're gonna come out emotionally. (That's) everybody - the coaches, the players, they don't know."
Central (4-2) should have more than enough offensive firepower Friday night against a West Chicago team (1-5) that's already been shut out twice and hasn't scored more than 20 points in a game this season. With a win over the Wildcats, Central could virtually clinch a playoff spot and begin positioning for seeding. The crosstown showed that perhaps the Redhawks aren't as far away as it seemed only one week earlier.
"Usually most games come down to five or six plays and you got to make plays when you get an opportunity. (That) was a game we put ourselves in a situation to have a chance to win," Stine said. "(We) just didn't execute, the ball didn't necessarily bounce our way."
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