Neuqua holds on for win over Bartlett

NAPERVILLE – Playing with the lead has not been a strong point for Neuqua Valley.

The Wildcats watched leads evaporate in each of their first three games and the past two Neuqua was unable to maintain double-digit leads.

Neuqua solved that problem with a 16-0 win against Bartlett on Friday night.

The Wildcats limited the Hawks to seven first downs and 161 yards of total offense.

"Our defensive brought it tonight," said Neuqua junior linebacker T.J. Rhattigan. "We brought intensity and played well for the whole game. We didn't stop in the second half and we kept coming with it. We rocked them. We finished tonight, for sure."

It was Rhattigan's defensive play that started the scoring.

Rhattigan stripped Bartlett running back Aaron Thabuteau of the ball and it popped straight up in the air and right into the arms of Neuqua linebacker Greg Egan, who raced 28 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.

It would stay that way until the third quarter when Neuqua's Trenton Snyder tacked on a 34-yard field goal to make it 10-0.

The Wildcats (1-3, 1-1 Upstate Eight Conference) put the game away when Robert Herzberger raced 35 yards to make it 16-0.

"We needed to get a win under our belt," Neuqua coach Bryan Wells said. "We've been playing pretty well defensively and we've been playing pretty well offensively. Tonight our defense got us started and that was nice to see."

Bartlett, which was shutout for the second time in three weeks, had its chances. The Hawks (1-3, 0-2) forced three turnovers, but could do nothing with them.

"It wasn't our night," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "We had a few opportunities when our defense created some turnovers, but just didn't capitalize and finish on offense.

Meanwhile, the offense continued to struggle and had issues moving the ball.

Sophomore quarterback A.J. Bilyeu completed 5 of 17 passes for 79 yards with one interception.

"When you have youth at the quarterback position it is tough," Meaney said. "If you're whole team is seniors, and you have a sophomore quarterback you are inexperienced. He is improving. I know he might not be happy with his performance, but he's getting better."

Neuqua made it a point of emphasis to stop the Bartlett running game and it was successful. Ardale Guteirrez had seven rushes for 23 yards before leaving with a right-knee injury. Thabuteau led the Hawks with 15 rushes for 47 yards.

Neuqua quarterback Joe Ippolito led the Wildcats in rushing and passing. He completed 10 of 21 passes for 133 yards and two interceptions. Ippolito rushed 14 times for 49 yards with a fumble.

NEUQUA VALLEY 16, BARTLETT 0

Bartlett                        0      0    0   0  --   0 
Neuqua                       0      7    9   0  --  16

N – Egan 28-yard fumble return (Snyder kick) 6:32, 2nd

N -- Snyder 34-yard field 4:07, 3rd
 
N – Herzberger 35-yard run (kick blocked) 1:16, 3^rd                            

                             NV             B
First downs            10              7
Rushes-yards       26-118      35-82
Passing yards         143            79
Passes                11-23-2    5-18-2
Total yards            261            161
Fumbles                1-1             1-1
Penalties               6-55           7-37

Individual statistics
Rushing
Neuqua — Snyder 5-28, Ippolito 14-49, Herzberger 2-33, Guido 3-16, Samuel 1-(minus)8, Eble 1-0

Bartlett — Bilyeu 8-6, Gutieirrez 7-23, Thabuteau 15-47, O’Connor 3-5, Cruz 2-2. Passing
Neuqua — Ippolito 10-21-2, 133; Samuel 1-2-0, 10

Bartlett — Bilyeu 5-17-1-79; Scaminaci 0-1-1, 0

Receiving
Neuqua — Snyder 3-78, Herzberger 6-35, Wonsey 1-10, Menendez 1-11

Bartlett — Thabuteau 1-(minus)-6, Almasri 2-7, Banks 1-41, Kujak 1-37.