Huskies reclaim DVC crown in instant classic
High school football fans waited a year to see Naperville North and Wheaton Warrenville South add to the latest chapter of their rich football rivalry.
The Huskies and Tigers didn't disappoint and provided those who sat through a 70-minute weather delay with another memorable contest.
(Jonathan Miano/Staff photographer)
Matt Manade's 26-yard touchdown run and Dan Villalba's extra point with 6 minutes, 39 seconds remaining provided all the points the high-scoring Huskies would need in a 7-6 victory against the visiting Tigers on Friday night at a sloppy Harshbarger-Welzel Field.
Manade's run capped a 13-play, 99-yard drive to give North (9-0, 7-0) it's first outright DuPage Valley Conference championship since 2004.
"The past few teams before us have not beaten WW South, so they've been circled as the team to beat," Manade said.
North's victory put an end to WW South's 27-game DVC winning streak and also put to rest any hopes of the Tigers (8-1, 6-1) becoming the first team to win four straight conference crowns.
WW South's last regular-season loss to a DVC team came on Oct. 22, 2004, at Naperville Central.
Both teams will advance to the IHSA postseason and each will receive its first-round opponent on Saturday evening when the pairings are released.
Check out Sunday's edition of The Sun for a complete game story plus an extra feature by staff writer Patrick Mooney.
